Expectations that inflation has eased fueled recent stock market gains, but results from two major price-tracking indexes came in higher than expected, dousing that optimism with cold water. The statistics from these reports have economists predicting that the Federal Reserve will continue to raise interest rates to get inflation under control.

 “The latest figures underscore the risks of persistently high inflation. Much of the easing that was celebrated at the end of last year has been erased,” said David Bieri, an economics professor for Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs. He answered a few questions about the persistence of inflation and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to reverse it. 

 Q: What is the difference between the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE)?

“The CPI is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a basket of goods and services. This basket includes commonly purchased items such as food, housing, clothing, transportation, and medical care. The rate of inflation (or deflation) is then inferred by comparing the price of this basket to a base period. The PCE is the one used by the Federal Reserve. Unlike the CPI, the PCE measures not just goods and services for urban consumers, but the prices of all goods and services purchased by households. While the CPI uses a fixed basket of goods and services, the PCE uses a changing basket of goods and services that reflects consumers’ evolving spending patterns. Also, the PCE incorporates data on the quality of goods and services.” 

Q: What can be deduced about inflation and the economy from these new statistics? 

“Different components of the indexes react to different influences of the economic process, and they also do so at different speeds, or as economists like to say, with different lags. For example, fuel and gas prices react with very little delay and if the price of crude oil goes up, it does not take long for these effects to show up. But this is not the case for other important components. Quite a bit of the recent uptick in inflation has to do with the fact that it has taken so long for the post-COVID related upswing in housing to show up in the data. As for the most recent PCE numbers, these were unexpected and point in the direction of more entrenched inflation.  In other words, inflation is not done yet.”

Q: What do these results indicate about the Federal Reserve’s efforts to curb inflation? 

“The Fed has to be patient. If we take the image of interest rates working like a brake pedal, the Fed is driving a car on a windy road with a blacked-out windscreen and when it brakes, it can only guess how soon the car — that is, the economy — will slow down, let alone by how much and when the next bend will be. However, the Fed has one key trick up its sleeve: unlike the hapless driver of our car, the Fed can influence how many bends in the road might show up in the future. It does this by something that we call ‘forward guidance,’ which is a wonky term for how the Fed’s attempts influence consumer and market expectations of consumers and market participants. Essentially the Fed is saying that if we stop believing there will be inflation in the future, there actually won’t be any.” 

 About Bieri 
David Bieri is an associate professor of urban affairs in the School of Public and International Affairs and an associate professor of economics. He also holds an appointment in the Global Forum on Urban and Regional Resilience. His teaching interests are at the intersection of public finance, monetary theory, and history of economic thought. He has held various senior positions at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland. Prior to his work in central banking, he worked in investment banking in London and Zurich. View Bieri’s full bio.

Source: Virginia Tech

The Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness program has been met with opposition from some states, and the issue is now before the Supreme Court. The program, which was designed to help borrowers struggling to repay their loans, would forgive up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt for borrowers with incomes up to $125,000.

Opponents of the program argue that it is an unconstitutional use of executive power. They argue that it is Congress’ job to provide relief for student debt, and that President Biden does not have the authority to unilaterally forgive these loans. Additionally, some states argue that providing such relief could lead to an increase in tuition rates, as the universities would no longer face the pressure to keep tuition costs low in order to maintain student loan payments.

The Supreme Court is currently considering the issue, and a decision is expected soon. If the court rules in favor of the Biden administration, the student loan forgiveness program could be implemented in the near future and provide much-needed relief to many borrowers. If the court rules against the Biden administration, the program will likely be halted, leaving many borrowers in a difficult financial situation.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/07/politics/student-loan-payment-pause-sofi-lawsuit-biden/index.html

https://stmdailynews.com/category/stories-this-moment/

NEW YORK (Newswire.com) – iQuanti: As you enter your 50s, it’s important to have a long-term plan for financial stability. It won’t be long before you start living off of the retirement you’ve saved up. Some financial steps that can help you prepare for the future include paying off your debt and getting life insurance. Here are five financial steps you can take once you turn 50. 

1. Boost your retirement account contributions 

Make it a goal to put away as much money as you can towards your retirement. If you work for an employer that offers a traditional 401(k) plan, you might be able to contribute pretax money. Additionally, if your employer offers to match your 401(k) plan contributions, be sure to take advantage of it. Let’s say your employer offers to match 50% of your contributions up to 5% of your salary. That means if you earn $60,000 a year and contribute $3,000 to your retirement, your employer will add another $1,500. One other thing to remember is that after 50, you’re able to make annual catch-up contributions to your retirement. 

2. Get a life insurance policy 

As we get older, we become more at risk of developing serious health issues. Given the increased risk, it’s important to financially protect your family whenever you pass away. A life insurance policy can provide enough finances to cover the loss of your income, living expenses, and any remaining debt you have. It can also cover funeral costs, allowing your family to keep most of their attention on mourning their loss. Through life insurance protection, you can give yourself and your family peace of mind knowing that if anything happens to you, they’ll be financially taken care of. 

3. Pay off your debt 

Paying off your debt will allow you to save more for retirement. There are several strategies that can allow you to become debt-free. One strategy you might consider is the debt snowball strategy. With this method, you’ll focus on paying off your smallest debt first, and then gradually work your way up to the largest one.  

Another idea to look into is consolidating your debts. This can help make your payments more manageable or potentially make the payoff period shorter. Getting rid of your debt will allow you to spend your retirement savings however you want. 

4. Take care of your health 

Having health problems may lead to costly medical bills. Taking care of yourself can help you avoid needing as much medical care. Practice good health habits such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep.  

5. Ask your parents about their financial plans 

If you still have living parents, it’s important to discuss with them how they’ll continue to be financially stable. They may have enough in retirement to live independently for a long time. But it’s also possible that unexpected health issues could cause them to need your financial support.  

Come to a decision about whether your parents will live with you when they can no longer take care of themselves. If it’s not possible for them to live with you, discuss the possibility of finding them a long-term care home. Knowing these things ahead of time can help you avoid being unprepared financially. Consider taking all these financial steps when you turn 50 to help ensure you have a strong financial future. 

Source: iQuanti