Like a lot of people right now, Sarah Rabin worries about how a recession would affect her wallet.

"I won't be able to buy the things I like to buy for fun as much, I probably have to save money for the more important things and ration out my spending," Rabin said.

Instead of worrying about an economic recession you can't control, credit counselor Mechel Glass says you should be focusing on the one you can control. "I think I would be focusing on more on avoiding my own personal recession." Glass told Ivanhoe.

Glass says a pro-active approach can help you avoid the worst. Number one -- do whatever it takes to stay employed. "If your job is thinking about downsizing maybe a department, start updating your resume," said Glass.

Number two -- save money! "Six months of living expenses in a saving account where you can quickly get to it in case something happens, like a job loss or some other emergency," Glass said.

Three -- pay down your credit cards and avoid adding new debt that will be harder to pay if costs go up. Twenty-nine percent of U.S. households have credit card debt over two thousand dollars.

Tip four -- make your mortgage your top priority. "Do anything you can to get current on your home and stay current on your home," said Glass.

Finally, find ways to save like sales and coupons when prices go up. "Ah yeah I'm definitely buying less," said Rabin. Glass says Rabin is on the right track.

You can't control the economy but credit counselors say you can control your own economic health, and it starts every time you open your wallet. "Every time you open your wallet you should think first, is this a want or is this a need, and if it's not a need, then maybe I shouldn't get it," said Glass.

If you would like more information, please contact:
Mechel Glass
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Atlanta
mechel.glass@cccsinc.org