In much of the news coverage of the “Great Recession” over the past few years, many people have used the phrase, “When the economy recovers.” It’s a given for many of us that somehow, someday, our economy is going to go back to “normal” and people are going to start spending money again.

But what should you do in case the economy doesn’t go back to “normal”? How can you protect your family’s finances and come out ahead, no matter what happens with the economy?