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How To Spot, Financially Prepare For A Possible U.S. Recession

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There are multiple indicators of a still-healthy U.S. economy, but others that signal the possibility of a looming recession. What should you know about the national economy's ebb and flow and how to financially prepare for a recession?

The U.S. economy still has not made a full recovery from what's often called the Great Recession from December 2007 to June 2009. At 19 months, it was the longest economic downturn since World War II.

Two measures of economic strength are a low poverty rate and positive real estate sales. The national poverty rate has steadily decreased for four consecutive years and sales of real estate have increased year after year. Also, consumer spending is high and unemployment low.

But economists also see recession warning signs like a continued slowdown of the country's manufacturing sector, ongoing uncertainty related to Trump's trade wars, and negative spread between 2- and 10-year yields for the first time in more than 10 years. Last week, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the second time this year.

How many times in U.S. history has the country gone through a recession? What's the difference between an economic slowdown and a recession? What brings a country out of a recession or, if things continue to get worse, when does a recession become a depression?

What are the best financial practices during a recession's life cycle? What steps can be taken to mitigate the effects of this kind of economic downturn, and when should you start?

Guests:

"The Source" is a live call-in program airing Mondays through Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Leave a message before the program at (210) 615-8982. During the live show, call 210-614-8980, email thesource@tpr.org  or tweet @TPRSource.

*This interview was recorded on Monday, September 23.

 

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Kim Johnson is the producer for Texas Public Radio’s live, call-in show The Source. She is a Trinity University alum with bachelor’s degrees in Communication and Spanish, and a Master of Arts Degree from the School of Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.
Dallas Williams is a Producer for The Source at Texas Public Radio. With a degree in Mass Communication — Broadcast Media, Dallas brings a unique perspective and a passion to producing a live, call-talk show.