Did you know that inflation has increased by more than 9 percent in the United States of America in 2022? It’s the sharpest rise in inflation in more than 40 years in the U.S., and it’s creating a muddied financial picture for many people across the country. Having a strong understanding of the effect of inflation on interest rates will set you up to make the best financial decisions.
The relationship between inflation and interest rates is interesting (pun intended), as they tend to move in the same direction as changes happen in the market. The good news is that you’ve found the perfect guide to help you learn more about how interest rates help inflation and the impacts that these changes have on your finances.
Keep reading to learn more about rising interest rates today!
Table of Contents
What Causes Inflation?
The single-largest cause of inflation in the economy is the rising prices of goods and services. If inflation rises by 5 percent in the United States then you’ll need to expect to spend 5 percent more over the course of the year on the same items and services that you bought.
The rising prices are one thing, but you also need to account for the demand for certain services and goods. If many people are also wanting to spend their money on these things then you should expect to spend more. That is good news for everyone who benefits from inflation.
How Is Inflation Measured?
In the United States, inflation gets measured by the Federal Reserve using the Personal Consumption Expenditures index. This measures consumer spending through business receipts to get an accurate idea of how much inflation is rising or falling.
It’s an effective way of measuring inflation because it ignores the costs of food and energy. Food and energy tend to be more volatile than other goods and services that consumers spend money on, so it makes it easier to track and compare.
What Is the Effect of Inflation on Interest Rates?
If the federal government reaches a point where it needs to respond to rising levels of inflation then it will start to raise interest rates. The goal of this strategy is to make it more difficult to borrow money that consumers want to spend on riskier assets.
The pattern continues when the federal reserve lowers interest rates. Lower interest rates result in more money that becomes available to borrowers that want to make large purchases like a new home or a new vehicle.
When inflation rises, borrowing costs also rise and this discourages consumers from spending more money. Expect rising interest rates when inflation starts to creep higher.
How Does Inflation Affect You?
As a consumer, it’s important to understand how the interest rate and inflation impact you. Inflation is odd in the sense that it is both a good and a bad thing. Knowing the aspects of your life that inflation impacts will help you make the best decisions for your financial future.
Economic Growth
If the country is experiencing a stretch of moderate inflation then it’s often a good sign for your financial outlook. Moderate inflation often signals that the economy is starting to grow, and the longer that the moderate inflation continues the easier it is for the economy to grow in a safe and sustainable way.
The big reason why moderate inflation is helpful is that it allows wages and prices to grow together rather than separately. Businesses will find it easier to earn more money while consumers will have an easier time getting loans to finance things like homes and automobiles.
Pay Adjustments
The area that most often gets associated with rising levels of inflation is employee pay. If the costs of goods and services continue climbing higher, it’s important that consumers have the financial means to meet all of their basic needs. It’s normal for employees to ask or demand higher pay from employers when inflation levels start to rise.
It might sound like a negative situation for the business, but it’s a win-win since the business has the incentive to hire and retain productive workers. Businesses then get rid of employees that don’t meet the standard and replace them with better workers.
The effect of inflation on interest rates results in a healthy economy and job market. The pay is better at most jobs and there are more jobs available for people to apply for.
Product Adjustments
The relationship between inflation and interest rates also has a big impact on product adjustments in the economy. Businesses have an easier time setting the prices for their goods and services when there is more demand for these things. This increase opens up more job opportunities since businesses are making more money and looking for ways to expand.
Inflation creates a positive future outlook for businesses. You’ll find that you get better deals as a result of inflation.
Discouraged Investment
While many good things come from inflation, it’s important to note how you’ll get impacted when interest rates rise. Periods of inflation tend to discourage people from wanting to invest money in the stock market and in things like homes and cars. The fact is that inflation is difficult to predict, and people would rather wait until things stabilize before spending their money.
Consumers and investors think that the interest rate and inflation won’t continue to rise. They stash their cash away in savings accounts until things look better. This results in less money getting invested into the means of production, which makes it difficult to produce the products that consumers need.
Now You Understand the Effect of Inflation on Interest Rates
Knowing the effect of inflation on interest rates is almost like having a cheat code for your financial future. Interest rates tend to rise when inflation is high because the federal reserve wants to discourage investing in risky assets using loans. Interest rates help inflation, and they set consumers up for a better future.
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