The dream of homeownership is slipping away for renters. A record low 13.4% believe they can afford a home, and rental costs are expected to rise 9.7% this year. Higher housing costs and interest rates are making it difficult for renters to transition to home ownership. Renters also expect mortgage rates to continue rising in the next few years.
Inflation is hurting lower-income Americans. They're being more cautious with their spending due to higher expenses and debt servicing. On the other hand, affluent consumers continue to spend, leading to a "K-shaped consumer" pattern. Despite high employment, the pressure of rising living costs is taking its toll on lower-income Americans.
The Federal Reserve hasn't reduced interest rates, meaning credit card interest charges will remain high. Experts advise consumers to proactively reduce their own credit card rates by calling their issuers, transferring balances to zero-interest cards, or consolidating debt with low-interest personal loans. Despite high inflation and interest rates, some credit card issuers still offer generous balance transfer terms, making it a prime time to take action and save money on credit card debt.
Economists predict growth in nonfarm payrolls and a stable unemployment rate in April's job market report. This resilience could hinder interest rate reductions by the Federal Reserve due to the ongoing inflation issue. Experts expect strong hiring in healthcare and hospitality, but other sectors could see gains in the coming months. Wage growth is also expected to remain steady, potentially easing concerns about inflation. However, economists are cautious, as the labor market has surprised them before.
The U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected in April, but the unemployment rate rose. This report suggests the Federal Reserve may consider cutting interest rates to control inflation, easing concerns about a rapid pace of growth. The healthcare and social assistance sectors saw significant job increases, while part-time employment declined. The labor market remains strong but the softer data has raised the possibility of interest rate cuts in the coming months.
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates the same this week, which means borrowing costs like those for credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans will not get any cheaper for consumers. This move crushes hopes that the Fed might start lowering rates this year, which could have relieved the financial strain on households. Instead, only one rate cut is expected later in the year, and even that may not provide much relief since inflation remains high and interest rates are expected to stay at current levels for some time.
