Our lives are run by loans. We have credit cards, mortgages, car loans, you name it. A big change you should be aware of this year is the rate increased made by the federal government. How can this affect you?
- Your credit card rate may go up.
Credit card rates vary between financial institutions and are determined by your credit history. An increase on the target rate may affect the time in which you finish paying off your loan.
What can you do?
Take advantage of your Cash Rewards, points, and find which credit cards benefit your spending power.
- Your mortgage payments may increase
If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage, your rate may increase. Look into the possibility of refinancing into a fixed-rate mortgage (where your rate will not change in the future.) Do not get discourage if you are thinking of buying a home soon, owning property is always a good investment. Just be conscious and do not exceed your spending limit, you never want to go house poor.
- Higher rates on savings may help you
Worrying about high rates is normal, just keep in mind high rates may positively affect your savings. However, saving returns take time to grow. Do not expect your savings account to double overnight.
Plan ahead and budget accordingly. Do not let high rates scare you. See the positive, start saving more and spending less. Treat yourself once in while, but don’t over do it. It’s all about keeping a good balance.