Four ways interest rate hikes can affect your finances – and how to manage it
Inflation is affecting many areas of our lives – whether you’re at the grocery store, a gas station, buying clothes online, hiring a contractor or doing almost anything that requires you to spend money. Earlier this year, the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates to rein in inflation, which reached another 40-year high in June. By raising rates, the Fed hopes to slow the economy and slow inflation. That’s because as borrowing becomes more expensive, consumers tend to reduce spending. The drop in demand for goods eventually leads to lower prices.
The Fed doesn’t set interest rates on credit cards, mortgages, auto loans and savings accounts, but its actions influence those rates. Here are four ways interest rate hikes can affect your finances and how to deal with the impact:
-
Credit Cards
Most cards charge a variable rate that's tied to the bank's prime rate — the rate banks charge their best customers (many consumers pay an additional rate on top of prime, based on their credit profile.) Banks typically raise their prime rate quickly after the Fed boosts its key rate. TAKE ACTION: Start paying down any balances before rates get much higher, focusing on the card with the highest rate first. It may take a couple of statements before you notice the impact of a rate increase, but stay diligent.
-
Mortgages
If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly payments will stay the same. If you refinanced over the last few years and locked in a rate in the 2% to 3% range, that was really good timing. However, if you have an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), you may be faced with having to make larger payments, depending on the terms of your loan. TAKE ACTION: If you have an ARM, budget for higher payments. Or, if you anticipate buying a home within the next year or two, take steps to improve your credit score so you can secure a lower interest rate.
-
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
This allows you to borrow against the equity in your home as needed, usually at a variable interest rate. Borrowers typically pay only interest on the amount borrowed for the first 10 years, and thereafter must repay interest and the principal over the next, say, 15 or 20 years. Your HELOC rate can adjust monthly or quarterly. So, if you have an outstanding balance, your payments will likely go up when the Fed implements a rate hike. TAKE ACTION: If you have a HELOC, budget for higher payments. You can also pay down your HELOC balance to reduce the interest you pay, or talk to your lender about options, such as refinancing.
-
Auto Loans
It’s already more expensive to buy a new or used car, as their prices have increased dramatically over the last two years. This is due to a number of reasons that have resulted in supply not keeping up with demand. Unfortunately, if you’re planning on financing the purchase of a vehicle in the near future, you’ll need to add in the higher cost of borrowing. TAKE ACTION: Make a down payment of at least 20% of the purchase of a new car, and no less than 10% for a used car. A sizable down payment will lower your monthly payments and could help secure a lower interest rate.
Heartland Retirement Plan Services are offered through Dubuque Bank and Trust Company. The information provided herein is general in nature and is not intended to be nor should be construed as specific investment, legal or tax advice. The factual information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness. Heartland Retirement Plan Services makes no warranties with regard to the information or results obtained by its use and disclaims any liability arising out of your use of, or reliance on, it. Products offered through Heartland Retirement Plan Services are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed and may lose value, unless otherwise noted.