Rising rents across the country mean the number of homeless people in Germany is also increasing dramatically. Homeless people under a bridge in the centre of Berlin According to a press release from the Federal Association for Assistance to the Homeless (BAGW) on November 7, around 607,000 people were homeless …
Read More »It’s War – Lenders compete on price as sub-4% rates…
Many of the country’s major lenders – and quite a few smaller ones, too – have slashed mortgage rates in response to dramatically improved inflation data. At the end of last week there were circa 30 lenders offering a sub 5.0 per cent fixed mortgage compared to 13 …
Read More »60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck before the holidays: Study
Shoppers expect to overspend during the holidays The LendingClub report was conducted in October, just one month before the holiday season kicks into high gear. This year, holiday spending during the Thanksgiving week may hit a record as consumers try to maximize the weekend’s deals, according to a 2023 Deloitte …
Read More »Weekly markets wrap: European shares shine as US inflation slows
European stocks were looking up this week, following a slowdown in US inflation in October. ADVERTISEMENT The recent US inflation report surprised markets, with year-on-year inflation falling to 3.2% in October, down from 3.7% the month before and below analyst estimates of 3.3%. The news led to European stocks rejoicing …
Read More »Average credit card balances top $6,000, a 10-year high
Persistent inflation has put many households under financial pressure — more cardholders are carrying debt from month to month or falling behind on payments. Credit card delinquency rates rose across the board, the New York Fed and TransUnion found. “These are consumers who are struggling to afford their everyday expenses,” said Charlie …
Read More »Half of Current’s customers have multiple jobs
The need for second — and often third — incomes is mounting, according to a top digital bank executive. Current CEO Stuart Sopp finds almost half of the firm’s payment customers have more than one job. “If you’re having a paycheck over the past year, 20, 25% of paycheck depositors …
Read More »How it impacts your money
The Federal Reserve left its target federal funds rate unchanged for the second consecutive time Wednesday. Even so, consumers likely will get no relief from current sky-high borrowing costs. Altogether, Fed officials have raised rates 11 times in a year and a half, pushing the key interest rate to a target range …
Read More »Despite rocketing rents and property prices, a key Reserve Bank housing analysis group hasn’t met for a year
In a cost of living crisis, the biggest cost is housing. Key points: Rents and property prices are rising faster than inflation or wages A key Reserve Bank’s analytical group looking at housing has not met for more than a year The central bank insists this hasn’t diminished the Bank’s knowledge …
Read More »Federal Reserve may not hike interest rates. What that means for you
Credit card rates top 20% Most credit cards come with a variable rate, which has a direct connection to the Fed’s benchmark rate. After the previous rate hikes, the average credit card rate is now more than 20% — an all-time high. Further, with most people feeling strained by higher prices, balances …
Read More »Home sales fell again in September as surging mortgage rates, rising prices discouraged homebuyers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes in September fell for the fourth month in a row, grinding to their slowest pace in more than a decade as prospective homebuyers grapple with surging mortgage rates and a near historic-low level of properties on the market. Existing home …
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