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The chance of a recession hitting the U.S. economy in 2025 has gone down \u2014 but only slightly.<\/p>\n
JP Morgan scaled back its recession forecast from 60% to 40% at the end of May.<\/p>\n
So if you\u2019re thinking of tightening your wallet \u2014 and looking for ways to stretch every dollar \u2014 here are 7 money moves you can make to make sure you\u2019re in great financial shape during this uncertain time.<\/p>\n
Car insurance is likely taking a big chunk out of your monthly budget, but it could be keeping you safe for less. Insurance companies tend to pile on confusing add-ons and lingo, which leads you to pay more than necessary.<\/p>\n
OfficialCarInsurance.com<\/a> lets you compare quotes from trusted brands, such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO to make sure you’re getting the best deal.<\/p>\n You can switch to a more affordable auto insurance option in 2 minutes by providing some information about yourself and your vehicle and choosing from their tailor-made results.<\/p>\n Find offers as low as $29 a month<\/a>.<\/p>\n New investing platforms are making it easier than ever to tap into the real estate market.<\/p>\n For accredited investors, Homeshares<\/a> gives access to the $36 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.<\/p>\n With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund \u2014 without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.<\/p>\n With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties<\/a> across regional markets.<\/p>\n Gold has long been touted as a safe-haven asset \u2014 and it can go a long way toward building your retirement portfolio. The precious yellow metal offers more stable returns than stocks, especially during market volatility and recession.<\/p>\n One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of American Hartford Gold<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account \u2014 combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.<\/p>\n Even better, you can often roll over existing 401(k) or IRA accounts into a gold IRA without tax-related penalties. To learn more, get your free 2025 information guide<\/a> on investing in precious metals.<\/p>\n Story Continues <\/p>\n Qualifying purchases can also receive up to $20,000 in free silver<\/a>.<\/p>\n Owning real estate has traditionally been the path to earning steady rental income, but it can be expensive and time-consuming to manage properties.<\/p>\n If you’re an accredited investor looking for larger returns through commercial real estate, First National Realty Partners (FNRP)<\/a> could be a better fit with a $50,000 minimum investment requirement.<\/p>\n Specializing in grocery-anchored retail, FNRP offers a turnkey solution for investors, allowing them to passively earn distribution income while benefiting from the firm\u2019s expertise and deal leadership.<\/p>\n FNRP has developed relationships with the nation\u2019s largest essential-needs brands, including Kroger, Walmart and Whole Foods, and provides insights into the best properties both on and off-market. And since the investments are necessity-based, they tend to perform well during times of economic volatility and act as a hedge against inflation.<\/p>\n You can engage with experts, explore available deals<\/a> and easily make an allocation, all in one personalized, secure portal.<\/p>\n Global life insurance premiums are set to increase at an annual rate of 3% in 2025 and 2026, according to a report by Swiss Re Institute.<\/p>\n If you have life insurance in place \u2013 especially a term policy \u2013 it may be worth comparison-shopping to find a more affordable option. You can typically cancel a term life policy without incurring any penalties.<\/p>\n With Ethos<\/a>, you can get term life insurance in 5 minutes, with no medical exams or blood tests.<\/p>\n You can get a policy with up to $2 million in coverage, starting at just $2\/day<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ethos\u2019 application process ensures you get flexible coverage options quickly and transparently<\/a>, allowing you to focus on what matters most.<\/p>\n With home values higher than ever, you can make your home work harder for you<\/a> by making the most of your equity. The average homeowner sits on roughly $311,000 in equity as of the third quarter of 2024, according to CoreLogic.<\/p>\n With a home equity loan, you can fund any major expense \u2014 home renovations, paying off substantial debt, or even funding investments for your retirement nest egg. Rates on a home equity loan are typically lower than APRs on credit cards and personal loans, making it an appealing option for homeowners with substantial equity.<\/p>\n Unlock the lowest possible rates in minutes by shopping around. You can compare real loan rates<\/a> offered by different lenders side-by-side through LendingTree.<\/p>\n Just answer a few simple questions, and LendingTree will match you with up to 5 lenders<\/a> with the best possible rates today.<\/p>\n Finding a financial advisor that suits your specific needs and financial goals is simple with Vanguard.<\/p>\n Vanguard\u2019s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisers and automated portfolio management to make sure your investments are working to achieve your financial goals<\/a>.<\/p>\n With a minimum portfolio size of $50,000, this service is best for clients who already have a nest egg built and would like to try to grow their wealth with a variety of different investments. All you have to do is set up a consultation with a Vanguard advisor<\/a>, and they will help you set a tailored plan and stick to it.<\/p>\n