Back in 2006, the stock market was rising, unemployment was still relatively low, and most of the country was not yet worried about a recession. But officials at San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) were closely monitoring the economy, and they saw clouds on the horizon. By the end of the 2006-07 academic year, the district, which serves more than 100,000 students through three two-year colleges and six continuing-education centers, had determined that the country was in for a severe downturn and that California was likely to be hit particularly hard. SDCCD moved swiftly to adopt a hiring freeze along with other cost-saving measures. Like SDCCD, most community college systems that have managed to navigate the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression count early planning among their saving graces. This article discusses how community colleges find ways to manage the current economic challenge. It shares out-of-the-box ideas for surviving the budget crunch.