These money moves will help you thrive in a recession

If you’re feeling panicked about money, the first thing you want to do is get organized.

This is what Sun calls, “Stop, drop and reassess.”

Gather your financial statements, including for your retirement investments and savings and checking accounts.

“Go through the process of figuring out your budget, how much of your money you have going out and where is your money going,” Sun said.

Tally up your absolute necessities and figure out how much those cost. This includes your rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries and medications.

Anything that doesn’t fall in those core needs categories are not must-haves. That shows where you may be able to cut back when money is tight.

If you have debts you can’t pay – such as credit cards or student loans – don’t be afraid to let your lenders know.

“Overcommunicate with people that you might owe money to and see where you can find some relief,” Sun said.

You may be surprised by the results, Sun said. With so many people also going through the same thing, you may be more likely to get some flexibility by postponing your payments or refinancing.

The average American should have at least six months’ worth of living expenses set aside in an emergency, Sun said.

To estimate how much you will need, tally up how much you spend over the course of a month. Do that for four months and then take the average. Then, multiply that times six, Sun suggests.

If you have children, be sure to add extra for them. Sun recommends an extra three months’ savings per child.