The latest recession has been one of the hardest that Americans have faced since the Great Depression of the 1930's. With companies shedding jobs right and left and homes going into foreclosure, the economic climate has redefined what it means for one to feel fortunate. In the past, the emphasis was more on the amount of material possessions that one has - he who has the most toys wins, you might say - while today, it's simply about having a roof over your head, a job, and enough food to sustain yourself and your family. And if you think the worst of it has gone, then you may be in for a sad awakening.

Most economists now believe that the US will soon be heading into another recession, perhaps before the end of 2011. If this does turn out to be true, then you may once again have to worry about your financial future and whether or not your home will still be there for you should you ever miss a payment. How do you prepare for such possibilities without driving yourself mad? How do you remain strong for family members, who may need your strength to guide them through such a difficult time? You should start by taking note of the following steps:

Dont put all eggs in one basket

You may have a job right now, but there has never been a better time to diversify your income sources. Find something that you can feel passionate about doing, such as running a blog or web site that is of special interest to you. Choose a niche that can really inspire your passion and then use online tools and marketing advice to generate a side income. The more forms of supplemental income that you have at your disposal, the better off that you will be. So while it's nice having financial security tied to one job, you can't always be guaranteed that it will be there for you a few months down the road.

Polish up your resume

Live each day grateful that you have a job, but make sure that you have the latest form of your resume handy should the worst happen. The great thing about this is that not only will you be ready to apply for jobs should you find yourself without one, but you will also become more marketable when searching for freelance opportunities. People need to see that you are organized, experienced and fully formed in the professional sense.

Use the web to generate greater amounts of income

Whether you're working for yourself or you're searching for online opportunities, the web is a fantastic source for supplemental income. Use it to your benefit, and you may never truly have to go without a paycheck.