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Recession watch

Will the U.S. economy soon be in a recession? It's the trillion-dollar question that even experts don't know the answer to. Here's how to prepare for a potential downturn, and how one could impact you.

Insights from our expert analysts

“Economic uncertainty is a time for reducing debt and boosting savings, not the other way around.”

– Greg McBride, CFA

Do's and don'ts of saving during a recession

To help you navigate saving during a recession, we asked a number of experts what some of the most helpful things to do are, as well as some things you should try to avoid at all costs.
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Recessions & your money

Illustration of a person holding a house with a rain cloud over it
How might a recession affect the housing market?
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I give this advice to all of my clients who are approaching retirement.
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The once-booming labor market is starting to face some trouble.

Experts in all things finance

Our expert reporters and editors bring the news and analysis you need—backed by data and firsthand experience.

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Greg McBride

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Chief Financial Analyst

Sarah Foster

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Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Mark Hamrick

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Senior Economic Analyst

Calculate your savings

Use our Savings Calculator to help you quickly and accurately estimate the growth of your investment. Set a goal and figure out how much you need to save each month to hit the mark.

Latest articles

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People who are traveling for the holidays are making changes to save money.
Social Security COLA Increases by 2.5% in 2025
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The Golden State may just be too expensive of a place for many Americans to spend their golden years.
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A look at what a bank bailout is with some examples of notable bank bailouts from the past.
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Financial stress is common during the holidays. These tips can help.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference
Fed officials are trying to prevent an economic slowdown from getting worse.
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Tune in to Bankrate’s live coverage of the Fed’s first rate cut since 2020.
Design element with Jerome H. Powell chairman of the Board of Governors
Rate cuts are coming. Just don’t call this a low-rate environment just yet.
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Over time, ATM fees have climbed. Here’s what you need to know.
A little girl gets a vaccination.
Setting aside pretax dollars in an HSA can help you defray future medical costs.
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Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.
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Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.
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How Reg. D impacts your savings account and why it pays to check with your bank.
woman holding a child and working online at home
Being able to open a checking and savings account can help build financial security.
man using an atm
ATMs are useful for depositing money, checking your balance, and more, but be aware of possible issues that may arise.
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Here’s how much $10,000 in a high-yield savings account can earn you.
Woman online banking with a tablet
How Reg. D impacts your savings account and why it pays to check with your bank.
The Federal Reserve’s decisions have ripple effects, including for mortgages.
If you’re looking at HE loans or have a variable-rate line of credit, pay attention to the Fed.
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Auto rates will likely not decrease this year. Consider how to still save.
Exterior of Federal Reserve building
Does the Fed interest rate affect car loans? Yes, it does: It has a domino effect that can raise or lower auto loan rates.
Outside of the Federal Reserve building
The Federal Reserve held rates steady at its January 2026 meeting.
Federal Reserve Eccles Building illustration
Bankrate analyzed the Fed’s historic rate moves for clues on what might come next.
U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell delivers remarks at a news conference.
The best way for investors to deal with the Fed’s interest rate changes? Focus on your long-term investment plan.
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