Americans are in a period of rising interest rates for the first time in years.
The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate by a half-point on Wednesday to cool down inflation that is the highest consumers have seen in 40 years. More half-point increases are on the table for all remaining meetings this year.
Financial experts recommend consumers make some money moves to put themselves in a better financial situation as rates increase. Paying down debt andshoring up personal budgets are some of the things that can be done.
"If your New Year's resolution was to build a household budget, it may need a refresh and a review." As these rate hikes are expected to continue, now is the time to look at your personal budget and identify ways to pay down your debt more aggressively.
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Certain borrowers need to be careful right now.
Lauren Anastasio, director of financial advice at Stash, said that anyone looking to buy a home, is shopping for a car, or is carrying credit card debt is included.
She said that if you are shopping for a home, you might want to ask your lender if you can lock in your rate now.
Some borrowers are considering variable-rate mortgages, which offer lower initial rates but eventually return to market conditions. People who have been with a mortgage for a while may want to consider a fixed rate.
The used car market has seen prices jump the most, so car shoppers may want to stick with newer models. It's in your best interest to shop for the best deal you can find.
While rates are rising, they are still historically low and there is still a lot of value out there.
People with credit card debt may want to contact their lender to see if they can strike a deal.
I always recommend that people call their lender and see if they can lower their interest rate.
Credit card debt is the most sensitive to rate hikes and often has the highest interest rate, so it may be a good idea to consolidate it into something with a fixed rate.
If possible, paying off debt entirely is a good idea. The cards have low balances.
She said to just pay the debt off.
Paying down debt is one way to set yourself up for financial success in the future, something that is especially important as people weigh the risk of a recession.
The central bank will do their best to keep inflation under control, but there are a lot of other factors that they need to consider.
Financial experts recommend that you take time to review your spending and save.
"Be smart about spending the money you do have." This could mean cutting back on discretionary purchases or budgeting more for items that have gone up in price. Americans should make sure they have enough emergency savings.
As people plan for their future spending, they may want to budget more than they normally would.
The manufacturer of baby formula may go back to what they were before the rapid rise of costs, but that doesn't mean they will stop selling it.
There are benefits to rising interest rates. Savers may see better rates on savings accounts in the future. There are opportunities for investors to gain from market volatility.
It is a great time to invest if you have the appetite.
If you are struggling to manage your money or feel stressed about the current environment, you may want to seek the help of a professional.
This is a very delicate dance that the Fed is conducting
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