Checklist: How to Prepare for the Next Financial Crisis (and Not End Up Eating Instant Noodles in Despair)

The crisis loves those who sleep

Financial crises happen more often than you say “I’ll start on Monday.”
They don’t warn you. They don’t whisper. They burst in like your ex — suddenly and with complaints.
So if you don’t want to face the next crash with an empty wallet and a mouthful of motivational quotes, here’s your checklist. No fluff. Just pain.

✅ 1. An account in foreign currency (or better yet, two)

If all your money is in one currency, you’re basically just a fan.
And fans suffer during a crisis.

What to do: Open multi-currency accounts. Euro, dollar, zloty, Ninja Turtles — anything works, as long as it’s not all in rubles.

✅ 2. Financial cushion: not “for a rainy day,” but for an ordinary mess

No one knows when everything will go sideways.
But when it does, you should have at least 3 months’ worth of living expenses without income.

If your cushion is from IKEA and not from savings — think about it.

✅ 3. Budget: know where your “who-knows-where” is going

You’re not poor. You just don’t know where that $5 goes every day. Then you look — minus $300 a month. And you didn’t even go on vacation.

Download a tracker. Write it down. Be shocked. Draw conclusions.

✅ 4. Remote work and “just in case” skills

In a crisis, people who just sit around pretending to be “busy at the office” get fired.
Those who can earn from any power outlet — survive.

Level up at least something: design, coding, writing, editing, selling air.

✅ 5. Cut subscriptions before they cut you

Do you really watch Netflix, Okko, Kinopoisk, Apple TV, YouTube Premium and subscribe to three Telegram self-development courses?

Cancel everything you don’t use at least twice a week.

✅ 6. The golden asset: connections and people

When the market falls, the value of people who can “get you in,” “give advice,” or “lend money” goes up.
No friends? Make some. No connections? Get out there. Yes, even online.

✅ 7. Stock up on food, water, wine, and a plan B

Crisis isn’t just about money.
It’s about logistics, stress, exchange rates, and the lack of buckwheat.

Have at home at least:

• cash

• water

• pasta

• valerian

• a plan for what you’ll do if everything goes to hell again

✅ 8. Money ≠ success. Money = flexibility.

If you measure your worth by sneaker brands and how many iPhones you have — in a crisis, you’re just an expensive idiot.

Learn to count, think, compare, and plan.

Conclusion:

A financial crisis isn’t a catastrophe. It’s an IQ test.
It’s just not on paper, it’s on your bank card.