Could You Survive
a Recession?
You lose your job without warning. Six decisions over sixteen weeks decide how long your runway lasts. Play it out and see your number.
Quick answer
Surviving an income shock is mostly a function of starting runway (months of expenses already saved) and what you do in the first few months — filing for benefits immediately, cutting discretionary spending early, and taking help without new debt all extend runway; delaying benefits, maintaining spending, and turning down help all shrink it.
A commonly cited starting point is 3–6 months of essential expenses saved before a downturn hits — this quiz turns that number into a running story instead of a static target.
Last updated 24 August 2026.
Week 0 — before the story starts
How many months of essential expenses do you have in accessible savings right now?
Week 1
You're laid off without warning. Severance and unemployment benefits take time to kick in. What's your first move?
Week 4
Still job-hunting. Your bank statement shows the usual subscriptions and discretionary spending still going out.
Week 8
Your car needs a $900 repair to keep running for job interviews.
Week 12
Still searching. A family member offers to help cover a month's rent.
Week 16
Two offers arrive: your ideal role, with a slow 6-week unpaid onboarding — or a lesser role that pays immediately.
Play through all 6 decisions to see your runway — 0 of 6 done. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
How is the survival weeks number calculated?+
Your starting runway comes from the months-of-expenses bracket you pick, converted to weeks. Each of the five story beats then adds or subtracts weeks based on the choice you make, ending in a running total. It's an illustrative simulation of trade-offs, not a prediction of what would actually happen to you.
Is this quiz trying to scare me about recessions?+
No — it's designed to make the trade-offs concrete. Choices like filing for unemployment immediately, cutting discretionary spending early, and accepting help without new debt consistently extend runway in the simulation, because they do in real financial planning too.
What's a good emergency fund size before a downturn?+
A commonly cited starting point is 3–6 months of essential expenses in an accessible account — enough to absorb a job search of typical length without relying on high-interest debt.
Does this quiz store or share my answers?+
No. Every answer and the result are computed in your browser and never sent anywhere.
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Educational and illustrative only, not financial advice or a prediction of real outcomes. Richify holds no AFSL and is not a registered investment adviser.
