Are Interest Rates Up, Up and Away?
Interest rates have been at their lowest levels in over 40 years. U.S. consumers have been able to purchase previously unaffordable homes, cars and other toys. Many have used cheap home equity loans to remodel, take vacations and pay off credit cards. Students have taken advantage of the rock-bottom student loan rates. But, interest rates look to be headed up. Recently, Alan Greenspan and the Federal Reserve escalated the Fed funds rate from 1% to 1.25%. So, what does that mean to you and me? The increase in rates is important if you have variable (not fixed) loans. For example, if you have adjustable rate mortgage or home equity lines of credit, the interest rates will probably go up (as well as the payments) in the next few months. Each time the Fed increases the Fed funds rate, it will roll down onto your adjustable rate loans and your payments will go up. The speed of increase and the amount of the increase will depend on what index your loan is based on ? check with your lending institution for more information on that. If you have high credit card debt, the situation may be even more bleak because credit card rates remained high while other rates have been incredibly low. The Fed increases are a good excuse for your credit card company to hike your rates even higher. So, what can you do if you're looking at rates and payments going up, up and away? * Your payment increases may be fairly gradual. Depending on the economy, the Fed will continue to increase rates although they have signaled that the increases are likely to be very gradual. If the economic or political situation changes, they always have the ability to lower rates again. The Fed's rate-setting committee is scheduled to meet again Sept. 21, Nov. 10 and Dec. 14, and they may skip a rate increase at one of those meetings if inflation is subdued. * Check with your student loan lenders to see about consolidating and locking in rates.
Good news: interest rates on savings are also likely to increase! So, if you have CD's coming due, check with different financial institutions before automatically rolling them over. If you have money stashed in savings accounts, the rates are probably starting to creep up. I highly recommend ING savings for the highest rates around (www.ingdirect.com). They also give great service, have no fees or hidden costs and are FDIC insured. You can also name your accounts at ING to make it easy to identify what you're saving for. * If you've been thinking about re-financing, there are still some good deals out there and there's no sense in procrastinating any longer. Contact me for some excellent resources for re-financing. * What if a new house isn't in your plans for a couple of years? When rates go up, it often cools off real estate prices and balances out the higher rates. Continue to save money in the highest interest short-term accounts you can find (no stocks or other long-term investments). Rates will probably not take huge leaps in the short term. * If you have an adjustable rate (home or home equity or car loans), you will see higher payments so call your lender to find out what the new payment is "likely" to be. They'll probably put all kinds of disclaimers out about not really knowing, but try to get a worst case scenario and then start pretending you really do have that new payment. Put the extra into a special savings account so you'll have a "slush" fund to cover if you run short one month. At the same time you are building up a cushion for the future, you'll have a good idea of whether or not you can handle the new payment. If not, now's the time to start looking at other alternatives like cutting back, increasing income or even refinancing. Remember, if you refinance your existing term to a new 30 year term, you'll have lower payments, but you'll pay a lot more for your house because of the additional interest. * Call your credit card companies and see if they are willing to lower your rates (not all are). Look for good, permanent credit card interest rates that you can transfer higher rate balances to. For example, if most of your cards are 18% or higher, find a good 12% card or lower and transfer as much as you can to that. Playing the 0% credit card shuffle is a dangerous game and can hurt your credit score. * Reduce credit card debt now! Stop using your cards and pay more than the minimums. If you pay off one card, take that payment and put it on another card. If you receive a pay increase, put it on the cards. The sooner the cards are paid off, the more flexibility you'll have! All in all, we're quite likely to enjoy reasonable interest rates for some time to come. However, make preparations now and you'll be able to handle whatever comes your way. If you need help, I'm the one to call -- 541-387-2995! Cindy S. Morus (www.phelps-creek.com) is a Certified Financial Recovery Counselor specializing in showing women and their families how to achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. She is also a Certified Credit Report Reviewer and Get Clients NOW!? licensee. Contact her at 541-387-2995 or cmorus@phelps-creek.com She is also the publisher and editor of "Financial Fitness", an internet gazette dedicated to helping people improve their financial fitness no matter what decisions were made in the past. Attention Ezine editors/Site owners: Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or website as long as you leave all links in place, do not alter the content and include our resource box as listed above. If you do use the material please send us a note (cmorus@phelps-creek.com) so we can take a look. Thanks.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Payday Loans Available Even ToThose With Bad Credit
Bad credit payday loans may seem like an oxymoron phrase, but the truth is bad credit payday loans are fairly common. You don't need to have good credit or even any credit to quality for bad credit payday loans. The companies that offer bad credit payday loans don't care about your past credit history or background history.
What is Credit?
Ever wondered what is credit? Credit is more than just a plastic card you use to buy things - it is your financial trustworthiness. Good credit means that your history of payments, employment and salary make you a good candidate for a loan, and creditors - those who lend money or services - will be more willing to work with you.
Home Equity Loan Information - What Is A Home Equity Line Of Credit?
Did you know that if you have a home that you've been paying on for years, you may have a lot of usable money right under your nose? What's more, a home equity loan just may be the perfect way to get your hands on that money!
Motorcycle Loans For Military With Bad Credit
Motorcycle loans for military with bad credit aren't hard to come by. In fact when you start your search for the lender you will find more then an ample supply of companies just waiting for your business. Have you really thought his purchase through though?
5 Things Pensioners Applying for a Loan Should Remember
Are you a pensioner applying for a loan? Here are 5 things you should remember
How to Find a Loan or Mortgage with Bad Credit
If you have bad credit and you are trying to get a personal loan or mortgage, it may seem like a difficult situation. However, there is hope. There are many lenders with loan programs available today to help people with poor credit, bankruptcy and even foreclosures obtain financing.
Financial Aid Options
Before entering college, you may find yourself pondering exactly how you will be able to pay for college. Many public colleges and universities cost thousands of dollars, while private colleges and universities can cost $10,000, $20,000, $30,000, or even more just to attend. Before getting too worried about these high prices, it is important to know that help is just a click of the computer mouse away, as the internet can help you to find the financial aid option that is right for you!
No Money Down Loans
You want to buy a home but you do not have money for a down payment or for closing costs? Well, just forget it. At least that is what you have probably been told by people who think they know what they are talking about, but simply do not.
A Guide to UK Secured Homeowner Loans
Trying to find good UK secured homeowner loans might seem difficult at first, but once you know what you're looking for and how to search for it then it's actually quite easy.
Are You Ready for Your Students Student Loans?
Your son or daughter is a high school senior and your worried about the coming year, and more importantly, the coming student loans? College has become so important in your children's future that parents have begun to plan for it at their child's birth. But, not all of us, as new parents thought that far ahead or could afford too. So, now what? Student loans, whether they are federal loans or not, are options to considered, but to understand first.
UK Loans Guide - Channelising Your Rising Budget in a Productive Mmanner
Every unknown road needs a milestone to configure where it leads. Every loan type in UK requires a guide to steer through the loans market. The vastness of loans in UK is exhaustive. Loan borrowing in UK is growing by the day. Loan process has been considerably simplified leading to opening of new possibilities for money borrowing.
Loans for Doctors ? Financial Funding for Healthcare Professionals
The revolution that has affected everyone's financing technique is online loan borrowing. A very remarkable outcome of this loan borrowing is loans for doctors. 'Loans for doctors' are unique programme to help doctors worldwide to overcome financial impediment and become homeowners or expand their professional prospects in the communities they work for and work in.
Guide to Home Improvement Loans
Here is a useful guide to Home Improvement Loans. What is a Home Improvement Loan? Basically, a Home Improvement Loan is a loan to be used for home improvement purposes.
Do Payday Loans Deserve a Bad Rap?
We have all heard the stories about cash advance lenders charging their customers excessive interest fees. It is true that most payday loans have the highest interest rates compared to any other type of loan. As unfair as this may sound, payday loans do serve a purpose and there are many people who use them to their advantage.
Payday Loans or Cash Advance Loans - Useful After a Bankruptcy
Payday loans, also known as cash advance, are a useful tool after bankruptcy. By keeping current on your bills through a payday loan, you can rebuild your credit history. The key is to only use these cash advances for emergencies.
No Fax Payday Loans Online for a Fast Cash Advance Loan
For a fast cash advance loan, no fax payday loans are now available online. By completing your application online, you don't have to fax paycheck stubs or forms. Your application can be approved within minutes, and you can have your cash advance available in your checking account the next day.
Devising Newer Ways of Repayment
How good would it have been had there been no obligation to repay the loan or mortgage? This is what most people think when required to make the monthly repayments. But try as much as they can, they are never able to change the situation.
An Overview of Getting a Homeowner Loan
Should you be in the market for a homeowner loan, you might find yourself wondering exactly how to go about finding the loan solution that you're looking for.
A Look at Common Types of Loans
People sometimes wonder about common types of loans, especially with all of the different types of loans available.
5% Down Vs. 10% Down - A Comparison
It has always been an issue for home buyers to save their down payment. Many people, on advice from various people wait to save 10%, rather than moving into the home sooner with 5% as a down payment This is not always a good idea. Let me explain;
|
