Though a new year has begun, old uncertainties remain — personally and collectively — about the health of the economy. In J.P. Morgan’s 2026 market outlook, the firm warned that “downside risks remain elevated,” citing weak business sentiment and a slowing labor market.
But what does this mean for the average person? In a world where everything feels so up in the air, prediction can only get you so far. Preparation is where you want to focus your energy.
Certain skills are essential to navigating an uncertain economy, but how do you know which ones to build first? I turned to ChatGPT to see what the AI might recommend as a good starting point. While working with a financial advisor is always the best bet for personalized guidance, ChatGPT can provide a solid launching pad for understanding which money skills matter most, and why.
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Getting Started
I asked ChatGPT not only which money skills matter most during economic uncertainty, but also how to build those skills as an adult. After all, many people never receive formal financial education at home or in school — and it is never too late to learn.
Before drilling into its talking points, the AI offered this reassurance: “In economically uncertain times, the goal isn’t to predict the future — it’s to stay flexible, resilient and calm with your money. Here are the money skills that matter most, and practical ways to learn them as an adult (even if you feel ‘behind’).”
1. Cash Flow Awareness
Cash flow awareness might sound like a complex financial term slung around by the wolves of Wall Street, but it is one of the most foundational money skills you can have. Simply put, it means knowing where your money goes.
ChatGPT said that this skill matters because, “When prices rise or income becomes unstable, you need to know what’s essential, what’s adjustable and what’s optional.”
The AI broke this down into skills to build and ways to learn them, which I’ve quoted verbatim:
Skills to build:
- Track income and expenses monthly
- Identify fixed vs. flexible spending
- Spot “silent leaks” (subscriptions, impulse spending)
How to learn:
- Use a simple tracker (notes app, spreadsheet, or a basic budgeting app)
- Do a weekly 10-minute money check-in
- Start with categories, not perfection
ChatGPT’s learning goal for this skill was simple: “I can explain where my last $100 went.”
2. Emergency Preparedness
When it feels like all you can expect is the unexpected, emergency preparedness becomes nonnegotiable. ChatGPT said this skill matters because ensuring you have cash on hand can reduce panic and help you avoid impulsive decisions during periods of stress.
As before, the AI provided a list of skills and steps to learn them:
Skills to build:
- Build an emergency fund (even if small)
- Understand which money is immediately accessible
- Prioritize stability over high returns
How to learn:
- Automate a small transfer to savings
- Start with a $500-$1,000 goal before thinking “three to six months”
- Learn the difference between savings, checking and invested money
The learning goal felt like a mantra: “A surprise expense doesn’t break me.” I do wish ChatGPT had suggested putting an emergency fund in a high-yield savings account, which offers liquidity while allowing your cash to earn interest over time.
3. Debt Management
I appreciated ChatGPT’s framing of debt management as an issue of control, not shame. Getting out of high-interest debt is important in any economy, but it’s especially urgent when prices are increasing and opportunities to earn more money through higher-paying jobs may be slowing.
To address this, the AI suggested the following:
Skills to build:
- Understand interest rates and minimum payments
- Choose a payoff strategy (snowball or avalanche)
- Avoid adding new high-interest debt
How to learn:
- List debts in one place (balance, rate, minimum)
- Use a payoff calculator to see the true cost of interest
- Focus on progress, not speed
The learning goal for this skill was to be able to say, “My debt is getting lighter, not heavier.” ChatGPT likely means that I’m literally reducing the amount of debt I carry without adding more, but I appreciate the psychological interpretation as well — that reduced debt means a lighter emotional load as well.
4. Risk Literacy
When headlines herald doom and gloom, it’s easy to let fear drive decision-making. To avoid taking unnecessary risks out of panic, ChatGPT suggested prioritizing risk literacy — understanding risk rather than avoiding it entirely.
The AI noted that “uncertain economies punish both reckless risk-taking and total fear,” then provided a list of skills to build and ways to achieve them:
Skills to build:
- Understand inflation, interest rates and diversification
- Know the difference between short-term needs and long-term investing
- Avoid emotional decisions during market swings
How to learn:
- Read plain-language finance explainers (not hype)
- Learn why diversification works before picking investments
- Study past market cycles to normalize volatility
The learning goal here is simple yet powerful: “I don’t panic when headlines are scary.”
5. Income Resilience
Though ChatGPT suggested income resilience as a skill to hone, it didn’t offer a direct explanation. At its core, income resilience feels self-explanatory — the ability to maintain financial stability even if your primary income changes or disappears.
That resilience often starts with a solid emergency fund and little to no debt, but it can extend further. It also helps to develop marketable skills, professional relationships and diversified income streams such as a side hustle or passive income investments.
While ChatGPT didn’t explicitly include investing here, long-term investments — such as dividend stocks or diversified funds — can support income resilience when aligned with your risk tolerance.
Skills to build:
- Improve job-relevant skills
- Negotiate pay or hours
- Develop side or backup income options (without burnout)
How to learn:
- Identify one skill that increases your earning power
- Take short, targeted courses (not endless learning)
- Build professional relationships before you need them
My learning goal was simply to have options if my main income changes — a wise and empowering note to end on.
The Bottom Line
The times, they are a-changin’ — and not always in ways you like, economically. To keep your cool and your cash, you can start by building cash flow awareness, emergency preparedness, debt control, risk literacy and income resilience.
When you’re ready to deepen your expertise, working with a financial advisor or credentialed professional can help translate those skills into a strategy tailored to your life.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked ChatGPT What Money Skills Matter Most During Economic Uncertainty — Here’s What It Said
