If a recession hits, don't cut back on these 4 things, says CFP

Last year's record-high inflation and ramped-up interest rates left many fretting that a recession was around the corner. But after the January jobs report — indicating an increase of 517,000 positions (much higher than the 187,000 predicted) — those recession fears have dwindled quite a bit. With cooling annual inflation and the unemployment rate at its lowest level in over half a century, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is predicting a low probability that a recession will hit this year.

But when you couple Yellen's comments with reports of consumer spending stalling — a main driver of the economy's growth — you end up with a mixed forecast that has many economists (not to mention regular Americans) scratching their heads. What's not uncertain is that if a recession does come to pass, you're better off mentally preparing for it now.

"When a recession strikes, it can bring along with it an overall downturn in your household balance sheet — losses in retirement and investment accounts, decreases in home value, reduced wages or bonuses and possibly even a layoff," CFP Bryan Kuderna, author of "Millennial Millionaire" and "What Should I Do with My Money?" tells CNBC Select.

If your first instinct is to cut any expense you can, think again. In fact, there are four things Kuderna argues you shouldn't cut back on if a recession hits.

While Kuderna notes that it's natural to tighten up your spending, he advises not cutting back on the following items unless you're completely out of options:

Kuderna, like many financial advisors, preaches a protection-first strategy; it only takes one gap in coverage to upend everything you have.

"It's tempting for people to want to erase a cost that does not seem to add any value each month or year," Kuderna says. "But there's a saying in insurance that, 'If you can't afford the premium, you'll never be able to afford the problem.'"

Instead of sacrificing your coverage entirely, you can ask your insurance providers for packaging discounts or better rates if a recession hits. Kuderna specifically calls out disability and life insurance as two critical products that can protect your economic value to your family or business. "Not only does lapsing these coverages bring about great risk, but to restore them at a later age can be costlier or perhaps impossible based on changes in health," he explains.

CNBC Select ranked Northwestern Mutual 'best overall' on its list of the best life insurance companies, based on customer satisfaction and financial strength.

Paying off your high-interest debt (i.e. credit card debt) is always good advice, but that's especially true during a recession — even right before it. The Federal Reserve is expected to continue rate hikes this year, which could translate to hundreds of dollars being added to an unpaid credit card balance in just a handful of months.

"This can be a drag on your financial plan, which is why it's so important to have these affairs in order before a recession strikes," Kuderna says.

If you don't think you can completely pay off your credit card debt ASAP, consider buying some time by transferring that debt to a balance transfer card with a zero-interest introductory period. This will shield your budget from today's high interest payments and give you breathing room to pay down your debt. The credit cards below each offer an introductory 0% APR period for 21 months:

"Liquidity is key in good times and bad," Kuderna says. If you can keep contributing to your savings in a recession, he suggests you should — even if that means temporarily pausing your investment and retirement contributions until the economy improves.

"People who stop paying themselves first risk watching their cash positions dwindle, which can introduce credit card debt when expenses arise, in turn leaving them playing catch up when the economy rebounds," Kuderna explains.

Now is actually a good time to open a savings account while rates are high. You can earn more on the money you set aside while having the reassurance that it's accessible when you need it. To compare the best options for you, check out the Savings Marketplace tool that CNBC Select recently launched.

CNBC Select also compared the best high-yield savings accounts that allow you to grow your cash-savings even faster. Some accounts, like UFB Secure Savings, are offering APYs north of 4%, which is quite high in recent years.

Kuderna advises eliminating other discretionary expenses before cutting back on your education. "Learning is the key to exponentially increasing future wealth, both in the monetary sense and in the 'state of well-being' definition I prefer," Kuderna says. In practical terms, an advanced degree or additional skills can help you advance your career (or at least keep your job) if a recession leads to layoffs and a more competitive job market.

If a recession hits in either the coming months or the second half of this year, Kuderna's advice is to not cut back on your insurance coverage, your high-interest debt payoff, your savings or your education. You might find it difficult to prioritize these expenses, but keeping up with them will pay off in the long term when the economy stabilizes again.

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