In its ongoing fight against inflation, the Federal Reserve again hiked interest rates earlier this month to a range of 3.75 – 4.00%. This widely anticipated move continues the year-long trend of rate hikes, and it is important to understand how these moves affect your household spending plan.
The specific rate mentioned above – the Federal Funds rate – technically does not affect consumers directly. When the target range is increased, the costs for banks participating in overnight market activities increases, which will then likely be passed along in the form of higher rates on consumer debt products.
These behind-the-scenes transactions are ultimately responsible for the rising costs of credit cards, mortgages, and other loans. On a positive note, consumers can also take advantage of higher rates on treasuries, money market funds, CDs, and other short-term saving instruments. For the sake of space, I will go over two of the most common consumer rates: credit cards and mortgages.
- Credit Cards – most credit cards utilize an adjustable rate, which is more susceptible to immediate changes in the market. Individuals carrying a balance from month-to-month will experience higher borrowing costs, and extend their payoff timeline, especially if they are making the same monthly payment. You can likely find your current rate on a monthly statement.
- Mortgages – on the flip side, most mortgages fall under the fixed-rate category. While new homebuyers, and those with adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), are facing higher borrowing costs, those with an existing fixed-rate mortgage are not impacted.
Unfortunately, consumers cannot control effective interest rates; however, you can at least minimize the impact on your spending plan. Forgoing a major purchase, shopping around for the best rates, improving your credit, and making extra debt payments are all potential strategies for protecting your personal finances during a rising interest rate environment. Human Sciences Specialists, with a focus in Financial Health and Wellbeing, are also here to help if you find yourself in a tight spot with your spending plan!
