Preparing for a Recession

Recession-proof Jobs & Careers
Education.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has historically shown teaching to be relatively recession-proof.
Energy.
Jobs related to oil and gas, alternative energy and even nuclear are likely to see strong growth
Health care.
Almost half the 30 fastest growing occupations are concentrated in health services -- including medical assistants, physical therapists, physician assistants, home health aides, and medical records and health information technicians -- according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
International business.
Good language skills and knowledge of other cultures and an ability to work in another country will land you a good job.
Environmental sector.
There is a huge and growing industry geared towards greening the earth
Security.
Police, corrections and border security will always be a good career bet.
For more information on recession proof jobs: RECESSION PROOF JOBS .COM

Recession-proof Businesses
Health Related Businesses:
People will still get sick in a recession and have need for heathcare
Death Related Businesses:
People will still have the need for funeral services and other related businesses.
Food Related Businesses:
People will still need to buy food in a recession
Repair Businesses:
Cars still break down, tvs will need repair, roofs will leak, etc.
Job Search Related Businesses:
Fewer jobs mean more people looking for them.
Tax Preparation:
Even in a recession taxes still need to be paid.
For more information on recession proof businesses: RECESSION PROOF BUSINESSES .COM

Great Depression (1929 to late 1930s), stock market crash, banking collapse in the United States sparks a global downturn, including a second but not heavy downturn in the U.S., the Recession of 1937. Durations: 43 and 13 months respectiviely.
Recession of (1945) Duration: 8 months
Recession of (1948 - 1949) Duration: 11 months
Post-Korean War Recession (1953 - 1954) - The Recession of 1953 was a demand-driven recession due to poor government policies and high interest rates. Duration: 10 months
Recession of (1957 - 1958) Duration: 8 months
Recession of (1960 - 1961) Duration: 10 months
Bond Inversion of (1965 - 1967) no recession materialized
Recession of (1969 - 1970) Duration: 11 months
1973 oil crisis (1973 - 1975) - a quadrupling of oil prices by OPEC coupled with high government spending due to the Vietnam War leads to stagflation in the United States. Duration: 16 months
1979 energy crisis - 1979 until 1980, the Iranian Revolution sharply increases the price of oil
(1981 - 1982) Duration: 16 months
Early 1980s recession - 1982 and 1983, caused by tight monetary policy in the U.S. to control inflation and sharp correction to overproduction of the previous decade which had been masked by inflation
Great Commodities Depression - 1980 to 2000, general recession in commodity prices
Early 1990s recession - 1990 to 1992, collapse of junk bonds and a credit crunch in the United States leads to one quarter of US GDP decline, and therefore not an official recession.
Japanese recession - 1990 to 2003, collapse of a real estate bubble and more fundamental problems halts Japan's once astronomical growth
Asian financial crisis - 1997, a collapse of the Thai currency inflicts damage on many of the economies of Asia
Early 2000s recession - 2001 to 2003: the collapse of the Dot Com Bubble, September 11th attacks and accounting scandals contribute to a relatively mild contraction in the North American economy. Since the US GDP never actually declined in this period it is not considered an offical recession. (Wikipedia)

The New York Times

THE ECONOMY: IS A RECESSION ON THE WAY?; PORTENTS OF TURNS FOR THE WORSE-OR THE BETTER

First published:By ROBERT D. HERSHEY JR. November 29, 1987
LEAD: EVER since the Oct. 19 stock market collapse, most analysts have been saying that the economy would slow down as a result, perhaps enough to send the nation stumbling into recession. They argue that consumers, who account for two-thirds of the gross national product, have lost both wealth and confidence and will pull in their horns accordingly.

EVER since the Oct. 19 stock market collapse, most analysts have been saying that the economy would slow down as a result, perhaps enough to send the nation stumbling into recession. They argue that consumers, who account for two-thirds of the gross national product, have lost both wealth and confidence and will pull in their horns accordingly. Business executives could also dampen the economy by deciding to scale back production or to carry smaller stocks of goods.

How can we tell what's ahead? A discussion follows of some of the broad economic issues of the day and of statistical indicators that in coming weeks might show if a recession looms.

Question. The stock market is said to be one of the more reliable predictors of business conditions. Does it determine as well as forecast?

Answer. It could, but it doesn't have to. Whether we get a recession depends mainly on the psychological reaction to the market shock. A reduced ability to buy, though important, is clearly a lesser factor.

Q. If people cut spending, doesn't that mean they save more? Wouldn't that be just what is needed?

A. In the short term, a sharp cut in either private or public spending would almost certainly produce recession. Even some of the staunchest supporters of President Reagan's push to reduce government are warning against too rapid a cut in the Federal deficit.

In the long term, however, most economists agree that the United States does need to save more and consume less. Ultimately, the American standard of living depends on the nation's productivity and this can't be increased without huge investments in new technology, training and other things that allow us to use our resources more efficiently.

A. The Commerce Department's monthly Index of Leading Indicators, which next comes out Tuesday, was designed as a sort of early warning system. And it has proved useful, though in recent years it has come under attack. Some experts say some of the 11 components of the index are obsolete. For example, ''vendor performance,'' or the percentage of companies reporting slower deliveries from suppliers, is less significant now that many companies find it more efficient to keep stockpiles lean. But other components, such as new orders for consumer goods, remain closely watched.

Q. Retail sales seem to have held up pretty well since stock prices plunged. Isn't that reassuring?

A. Not entirely. Although the stock collapse was indeed attention-getting, consumers may need time to fully recognize their new situation and to put any needed spending curbs in place. Some people, for example, have not yet received a mutual fund, profit-sharing or other occasional financial statement since the plunge. They may be sobered when they do. Many economists are waiting anxiously to see how the Christmas shopping season goes.

Q. But it is good, isn't it, that the Federal Reserve has responded to the drop by pumping more money into the economy?

A. Most economists think this was an essential step, one that has, in fact, helped bring interest rates back down. The danger, of course, is that the Fed will overstay this policy and that the extra money will revive inflation, driving interest rates up again and slowing business activity. It takes some months for a definite trend to show up in, say, consumer prices, and by then severe damage may have been done.

A. Watch the interest rate on Federal funds, which are overnight loans among banks. Check Friday's newspaper to see how much the banking system is being forced to borrow through the Fed's discount window. Higher rates suggest a tighter Fed policy.