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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?
A middle-aged couple looks out to the beach from their van
Here are some tips to help make sure your retirement savings are protected in the event of a recession.
Illustration of worker with a brief case
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

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Latest articles

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Understanding mortgage rate movements could save you money.
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Prices rise and fall all the time in the U.S. economy. It’s not always inflation.
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We look back at how banks handled rate cuts in 2024, and what to expect in 2025.
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The August jobs slowdown sets the stage for a Fed cut and brought mortgage rates to their lowest levels of the year.
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With a big Federal Reserve decision on the horizon, does it make sense to refinance your mortgage now, or wait?
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The Fed continues to signal lowering rates later this month. Here’s how to prepare.
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Worried that your high-yield savings APY isn’t so high? Here’s how to stay on top.
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As the Fed hints at lowering interest rates, here’s how to prepare when rates fall.
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These features are designed to save you time and money.
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As the Fed is cutting interest rates, consider these certificates of deposit (CDs)
Compare the best high-yield savings rates as of September 15, 2025.
Image of Jerome Powell speaking from the Federal Reserve podium.
A tough mix of rising prices and weak hiring is leaving the Fed with no easy way out.
People walk by a Western Union location in New York.
Wire transfer fees can be expensive, but here are ways to send money for less.
Someone cutting a stack of cash with scissors
In this era of no-fee banking, pesky fees still exist. Here’s how to avoid them.
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Artifical intelligence (AI) is likely to reshape our lives in as big a way as the internet did in the 1990s and smartphones did in the 2000s (scary or exciting as that may be). That means changes to your [...]
Jerome Powell speaking at a podium
These policymakers will influence the crucial debate of when to cut interest rates.
The most common sign of financial success is living comfortably, Americans say.
Federal Reserve seal
Now a cornerstone of Fed policy, the balance sheet has big implications for your wallet.
Federal Reserve Bank Chair Jerome Powell at the Fed's post-meeting press conference
The Fed hopes to prevent major market disruptions that could cause rates to spike.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at a press conference after a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting
Fed officials signaled no immediate plans to begin cutting interest rates.
Illustration of Fed Chair Jerome Powell
The Fed’s policy toolkit has changed almost as much as interest rates itself.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington, DC, on Jan. 31
How will the Fed juggle hotter inflation with a rising unemployment rate?
Illustration of Chair Jerome Powell in front of the podium at a post-meeting press conference
The Fed plays a role in influencing every financial decision you make.
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