Recessions are a normal part of the ebbs and flows of life. With that truth, recessions present their own challenges and opportunities. If you have a recession-proof plan, you could be well positioned for the next recession, whenever that finally comes. The economic slow down spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic could very well trigger a recession event later in 2020. With that possibility looming on the horizon, it is not too late to build your recession-proof plan.
There are 5 areas that need to be in any recession-proof plan, primarily dealing with cash. It’s been said that cash is king, and that is especially true during a recession. With employment markets and financial markets depressed, as is usually the case during a recession, having cash available provides a protective barrier around your life.
Emergency Fund
Much of that cash should be held in an Emergency Fund. You have no doubt heard the advice before, 3-6 months of living expenses saved in cash. This will provide a barrier in case of the unexpected, like a job loss that sometimes comes with the shrinkage of the economy. If you don’t have that money saved in cash, make that a priority. This barrier provides you some protection, and gives you more time to make tough decisions, if needed.
Even if you have an emergency fund, now is a good time to increase that further. Three to six months of living expenses might be recommended, but extra cash never hurt anyone during a recession. While I have my own Emergency Fund, I am continuing to grow it each month. This will keep me safe in the event that my paycheck stops coming. If I follow the rest of my Recession-Proof Life plan, that extra cash cushion would be great to reinvest in the financial markets as the economy starts to recover.
Where should you store that cash? While interest rates have been slashed repeatedly in the past few weeks, a high interest e-savings account is still your best bet. In North America you can still find accounts at close to 1%, which while not much, is better than the 0% many large bank chequing accounts are offering.
Reduce Debts
Cash is king, and debt is an obligation to pay some of that cash to someone. To protect your cash while you build an emergency fund, you also need to reduce any debts that you have. This means paying down all your consumer debt, starting with the highest interest rate loans first, usually credit cards. With investment returns being unpredictable at the best of times, and even more so now, taking that guaranteed win of savings on interest is important.
Once you are clear of any high interest debt, focus on paying down some of the other loans that you have. These might be your Student Loans or Personal Line of Credit. While there are different methods suggested for getting out of debt, in an effort to save you cash, I am only suggesting the financially most beneficial method. Paying off the highest interest rate debt first.
Trim the Fat - Reduce Unnecessary Expenditures
Over time we sign up for a variety of services. When we’re looking at preserving our cash, it might be time to evaluate the value of these services. Depending on the severity of your situation, you might want to completely cancel these subscriptions, or it might be worth a call to discuss lowering your rates. Many companies would rather retain you as a customer than lose you completely, and often this preference makes them more open to negotiating your rates with you.
Take a careful look at where you spend your money. Subscriptions are an easy area that savings can be found, but we often pick up other financial habits during times of prosperity. These habits aren’t always healthy. Evaluate where you are spending your money, and make changes if necessary.
Diversify Your Income Streams
Recession-proofing your life also means you need to look at where your money is coming from. For many of us, our salary is the primary source of income. But that doesn’t mean that it needs to be our only source of income. There are plenty of ways to generate income outside of your 9-5 hours, and now is an excellent time to explore those opportunities. The side-hustle has received a substantial amount of attention over the years, and for good reason. Finding something that you enjoy, that you can earn money doing, if only part time? To many of us, that extra freedom of getting paid for a passion project is exhilarating. And, with the internet, getting started couldn’t be easier.
Of course, the side-hustle route isn’t for everyone. Maybe you would rather go all-in on your career, reaching up the rungs of that corporate ladder. You can also take control over your income, by diversifying your investments into something that pays dividends / interest on a regular basis. This way you can bring in a little more positive cash flow each month. While those investments might not replace your full time income, every little bit helps, especially when recession-proofing your life.
Grow Your Skills
One final way to recession-proof your life is to remember your professional development. What skills do you need to develop to help take you to the next level of your career?
Recessions are usually accompanied by a rise in unemployment, and current events in 2020 are no different. With a reduction in the Canadian labor force of over 1 million people in March 2020, jobs are becoming even more competitive. That prompts the question, how do you stand out among hundreds of candidates? The answer: by becoming more valuable. And that answer doesn’t just apply to those who are out of work. By continually developing your skills and increasing your economic value, you will stand out among your peers, and be more likely to retain your job in the event of layoffs.
Education has become more accessible than ever with online learning, and with world-wide social distancing measures in place, many people are finding they have more time on their hands. Directing that time at developing or enhancing your skill sets will ensure that you are ready for whatever the future holds.
Recession-Proofing your life starts with the right plans. What are your plans to manage your finances? By building an emergency fund, you are able to withstand any financial storm. This is aided by paying off debts, and cutting back on unnecessary spending. Once you’ve taken care of the cash outflow, you should look at the sources of that cash. How can you diversify so that you have income coming from multiple streams? The final element of your recession-proof plan is in making you more valuable. What are you doing to develop your skills?
Recessions are a normal part of life, having the right recession-proof plan will make sure you are positioned not just to survive, but to thrive.