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These days, measuring the health of the economy is almost like trying to figure out how Schrödinger’s cat is doing.

Depending on who you talk to, the economy may be on the rise or in a downward trend: it’s promising, but it’s also headed for collapse.

Take, for example, the fact that after months of dismal jobs numbers and recession predictions, a recent White House press release touted the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ revision of second-quarter GDP numbers, claiming “explosive growth” for the economy, along with positive reactions from several financial experts. At the McDonald’s Impact Summit in November, President Donald Trump doubled down. He said that his first term “built the greatest economy in the history of the world” and that, now, he will do it again (1).

And at least some of the numbers seem to agree. A revision of second-quarter GDP rose to 3.8% in April-June 2025, which was previously reported as 3.3%. This figure was a big boost from -0.6% GDP growth in the first quarter of the year and one of the fastest rates of GDP growth since the third quarter of 2023.

GDP growth was driven by a slowdown in imports and a larger than previously reported increase in consumer spending, led by transportation, financial and insurance services.

As such, the White House press release stated that this was all part of “explosive growth” and “the foundation for a long-term restoration of American greatness (2).”

But GDP is only part of the equation, so the question remains: Is the economy really bouncing back as the White House suggests?

Part of the problem in establishing a consensus about how the economy works is that traditional indicators of a healthy economy tell a conflicting story. GDP and consumer spending, for example, have picked up, while employment estimates for September show the US continues to bleed jobs.

Data from ADP, a global human resources software and payroll services, is used to supplement regular numbers from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, the government shutdown in October and November further clouded how jobs are being done, due to the delay in BLS reports. The next jobs report is expected to be released on December 16. Meanwhile, the latest monthly employment report from ADP suggests that the private sector lost 32,000 jobs in November (2).

Looking back, August’s dismal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report showed the economy added just 22,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate hit a nearly four-year high of 4.3%. The Federal Reserve, meanwhile, cut interest rates, but the effects of tariffs and inflation are still hitting Americans’ pockets.

One explanation for the mixed economic signals is that increased consumer spending is driven by only a small percentage of higher incomes.

Research by Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, showed earlier this year (3) and recently (4) that the nation’s top 10% of earners are responsible for nearly 50% of all consumer spending. The data also shows that the bottom 80%, those earning less than $175,000 a year, are only keeping pace with inflation (5).

He added that if high earners “become more cautious” about spending, “the economy is in big trouble.”

Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150 million fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)

Like many economic experts out there, the average American also does not have an optimistic outlook for the economy of the future.

A September Fannie Mae survey found that 67% of consumers believe the US economy is “on the wrong track,” up 3 points from August.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Pew Research Center reported that 74% of American adults described the economy as “fair/poor” and only 26% said it was “excellent/good” (6).

The Pew survey added that 42% of Americans blamed “rising prices and personal expenses” for their negative view of the economy. Also, 53% said Trump’s policies have made the economy worse, compared to 24% who said they had made it better. And 46% said they expect the economy to get worse within a year, while only 29% think it will get better.

For those struggling now, or anticipating tough economic times, experts agree on a number of simple things you can do to both help navigate a tough economy and prepare for possible worst-case conditions, including a recession.

When it comes to investing, some advisers even say that the traditional 60/40 mix of stocks and bonds should be revised to 50/30/20, with the final 20% made up of alternative assets. This is because alternative assets can provide some additional resistance against stock market volatility.

For example, gold is often seen as an alternative asset that offers greater investment stability when stocks are volatile. The precious metal is also on a historic bull run, with the spot price exceeding $4,350 per ounce in mid-October (7).

With a Gold IRA through Thor Metalsyou can invest directly in physical precious metals, such as gold, instead of stocks and bonds.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective advantages of investing in gold, which can make it an attractive option for those looking to hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide which includes details on how to do this get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.

Another popular alternative asset is real estate. But you don’t have to buy a property outright to benefit from the property market.

One option is to take advantage of this market by investing in vacation home stocks or rental properties arrived.

Backed by top investors including Jeff Bezos, Arrived lets you invest in vacation and rental property stocksearning a passive income stream without any of the extra work that comes with owning your rental property.

Start by browsing their selection of approved properties, each chosen for their potential appreciation and income generation. Once you choose a property, you can Start investing with as little as $100which could earn quarterly dividends.

If investing in real estate through rentals doesn’t appeal to you, you might consider commercial real estate. Direct access to the $22.5 trillion commercial real estate industry has historically been limited to a select group of elite investors, until now.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of ownership.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can owns a portion of properties leased by national brands such as Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmartthat provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to triple net leases, accredited investors can invest in these properties without worrying that tenant costs will reduce their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions, including how much you’d like to invest, to start browsing full list of available properties.

Beyond investing, Equifax advises paying off as much debt as possible, especially when it comes to mortgages and car payments (8). They also say updating your resume and reconnecting with professional contacts doesn’t hurt, should you find yourself out of a job. The better your buffer is now, the more leeway you could have during a crash.

It’s also worth considering working with a qualified financial advisor. They can help you figure out the best path forward for your monetary goals in light of the rapidly changing economic landscape.

Professional financial advisors with interval provide white-glove financial services to high-income households.

For high earners, one of the biggest financial concerns when working with an advisor can be assets under management (AUM) fees. These fees mean that portfolio managers take a percentage of the value of your assets under management, usually between 0.5% and 2%, so their fees will grow along with your wealth.

This is where Range sets itself apart. The range offers 0% AUM fees for advisory services and a flat fee structure so you can further preserve your wealth. They also offer an all-in-one solution for everything from alternative asset management to tax, all informed by modern AI solutions and supported by a team of certified financial professionals.

And the best part? you can book a free demo to see if Range can meet your comprehensive financial needs.

If your net worth is below the thresholds required to work with Range, there are also other advisors for your financial circumstances.

Finding a financial advisor that fits your specific needs and financial goals is simple with Vanguard.

Vanguard’s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisors and automated portfolio management Make sure your investments work to meet your financial goals

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 and they will help you establish a tailor-made plan and stick to it.

We only rely on verified sources and credible third-party reports. For more information, see our ethics and editorial guidelines.

Senate Democrats (1); The White House (2); ADP (3); Wall Street Journal (4); Bloomberg (5); @Markzandi /X (6); Gold price (7); Equifax (8)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without any warranty.