Our Federal government is currently $12 trillion in debt with a current budget deficit of 1.7 trillion dollars this year alone. We pay over 300 billion dollars a year in interest each year. That's only because interest rates are so low right now, but what is going to happen when interest rates rise again? Each taxpayer and company likely will struggle to handle the tax burden.

Since the inception of the 401k, it is now the average citizen's responsibility to plan their own retirement savings. We all know it's economically difficult out there. Most standard financial planners would tell you it's time to hunker down in money markets or at most in the bond market. I'm not as sure this is the best plan because if the government chooses to print money to pay down debt then inflation will rise quickly causing both money markets and bonds to be big losers to inflation. Corporations are in the business of making money and they will be the most likely in any harsh economic environment to find a way to profit. Find the companies that our ready to thrive. Here are three factors I would be looking for.

1. Longevity - Any company that survived the great depression already knows how to ride these things out. Companies like Coca-Cola continued to sell even in the worse of times. Look for old companies that are essentially doing the same thing now that they were back then. Be wary of companies that have strayed from their core business to chase a fad or complicated profits.
2. Low Debt - You don't want companies that will get eaten up in an high yield environment. It their Debt to Equity Ratio is greater than 1.0 I'd stay away. Companies with no debt could really thrive when loan money gets hard to find.
3. Commodities/Utilities - There are things that people will not live without like food, water, power, and oil. Companies that are involved in getting these staples to you, especially domestic companies, will probably hold strong in tough times.

All times present different challenges, but if you think about what people will need in the times you are living you'll be able to find the money and keep your savings growing strong into the future.