After years of sustained inflation and amid a growing cost of living, the US seems on the brink of recession. In the aftermath of April 2025's "Liberation Day,” media rumors of another recession have grown deafening.
We conducted a survey of nearly 1,000 Americans to see how people are preparing. From stashing canned beans and planting backyard gardens to brushing up on AI, recession-proofing strategies range from practical to intense.
Will there be a recession? 1 in 2 say yes
When asked whether they thought a recession was coming within a year, 52% Americans responded in the affirmative — and they are freaking out. 20% have discussed a potential recession with their kids, and 11% brought up recession anxiety with their therapists.
With recession looming, Americans are making major behavior changes. 69% have already reduced their spending. Others are doing the opposite: 16% are spending far beyond their means, and 13% are racking up credit card debt they say they never plan on paying.
Others are preparing less for a recession and more for what feels like the end of the world. Nearly 1 in 3 (29%) are considering homesteading. Another 1 in 3 are considering buying an off-grid property. 16% claim to have built a bunker in anticipation of a recession.
Career resilience: How to prepare for a recession
55% of workers are optimistic about their job security in the next 12 months, and 79% think their job would survive a recession. However, over one in four are not confident they’d be able to find another job within three months of losing their current one.
Many Americans are taking steps to recession-proof their jobs, including:
- Expanding skillset to include new tech like AI (51%)
- Networking (48%)
- Updating and enhancing resume (45%)
- Technical certifications (41%)
- Freelance/fractional work on top of day job (36%)
A further 42% are enrolled in professional development courses or pursuing certifications to recession-proof their careers as well. Overall, workers devote an average of 7.6 hours per week beyond their working hours to professional development.
Prepping bank accounts: 76% have adjusted budgets for a recession
We might not be in a recession, but consumers are bracing for impact. Over 3 in 4 have adjusted their spending in anticipation of a recession.
The top ways Americans are recession-proofing their budgets include:
- Cutting back on discretionary spending (61%)
- Increasing savings (52%)
- Paying off existing debts (38%)
- Seeking passive income (32%)
- Creating an emergency fund (31%)
A further 1 in 5 have pivoted to primarily shopping for secondhand goods.
There’s good reason for discretionary spending: 39% of consumers say they can maintain their current lifestyle without income for 3 months or fewer. 1 in 3 contribute 10% of their income or less to their savings account.
37% of Americans are making positive changes to recession-proof their finances. Top financial moves include:
- Transferring stocks to more stable investments like bonds or cash (47%)
- Paying off high-interest debt (39%)
- Buying a house (26%)
Tech workers are optimistic
Tech workers, who typically have white-collar salaries, are less spooked by recession rumors. Only 47% think that a recession will happen within 12 months, and 82% think their jobs would survive a recession.
However, IT workers aren't sitting ducks. 58% are currently pursuing professional certifications or classes. 78% have adjusted their household budgets to prepare for a recession. Half are considering investing in off-grid property, and 37% are thinking about homesteading. Additionally, 1 in 4 has a bunker for their family.
Methodology & fair use
This survey was conducted among 900 people across the United States, with 34% identifying as tech workers. Respondents included 50% women, 49% men, and 1% nonbinary individuals. Ages ranged from 18 to 75, with an average age of 40.
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Fair use
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