Yes, you can make money in the recession.  However, the facts are grim. Most economists agree that the United States has entered into a period of economic recession. The U.S. based National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) defines a recession more broadly as "a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales." What does this mean for the average American consumer? In actuality, this recession will force people into the fiscally responsible behavior that should have already been a staple of American economic life. Fortunately, learning to utilize common sense money managing tips and a little bit of the perennial hard work, not only can you weather the tough times ahead, but you can also learn some easy ways to make money a recession.

Most economists believe that saving and budgeting are the most efficient ways to navigate this recession. Itemizing expenditures such as mortgage/rent, utilities, groceries, and entertainment among others is the most important first step. After calculating these expenses, a family or individual should realistically attempt to save three months worth of expenses. In addition to saving more, it is essential to make yourself invaluable at work. Many companies are already feeling the effects of the economic downturn. If you are not in a recession proof industry, it is paramount that you increase output and learn to effectively but discreetly promote yourself. While becoming proactive and implementing the above steps will help you maintain; I have discovered that it is possible to learn new industries and make money in a recession.

Believe it or not, even at the beginning of this recession, I am very close to quitting my job and living off a substantial income that affords me a great deal of flexibility. I had to realize that the longer I ran on someone else’s hamster wheel, the economic highs would never reach me, and the lows would ruin me. There are ways to grab the reins of your own life if you are willing to expand your horizons and work hard. The most effective ways to make money in a recession is to learn, research, and promote recession proof industries. Since prices are rising and most economists believe that we will soon encounter stagflation, learning to operate a business with little to no overhead and effectively promote that business has unplugged me from the Matrix. Yes, tough times are ahead, but what are you willing to do to not only just weather tough times, but also grab your slice of the economic pie and live well when everyone says you should not?