{"id":70741,"date":"2022-06-01T04:00:51","date_gmt":"2022-05-31T18:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=70741"},"modified":"2022-05-30T15:56:19","modified_gmt":"2022-05-30T05:56:19","slug":"finty-tips-beat-inflation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/living\/finty-tips-beat-inflation\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight tips to beat inflation"},"content":{"rendered":"
INFLATION is on the rise across the world. According to recent statements, the RBA expects inflation to increase in the coming quarters to about 3.25 per cent before declining to about 2.75 per cent over 2023.<\/p>\n
Currently, the continuing fallout from COVID, increases in the price of raw materials and rising oil prices are behind the rising inflation.The situation between Russia and Ukraine made this worse. And who knows what way things will work out with our new Labor government.<\/p>\n
So how will rising inflation impact your life, your earnings or your business?<\/p>\n
Inflation is a rise in prices. Aside from fuel prices, the cost of goods and services will go up. Inflation \u2014 as expressed by the Consumer Price Index or CPI \u2014 is a measure of the average price you pay for a defined basket of goods and services. Expressed as a percentage, inflation is an increase in prices over a given period of\u00a0 time.<\/p>\n
When inflation is on the rise, you pay more for the same basket of goods and services.\u00a0 Expressed differently, this means that in times of rising inflation, each dollar you have in your hand can buy less and less going forward.<\/p>\n
So what can you do to beat inflation during 2022? Let\u2019s look at your options.<\/p>\n
What does beating inflation mean, anyway?<\/h2>\n
One thing you can do to beat inflation \u2014 that is to protect and maintain your purchasing power \u2014 is to put your money in a place which gives you a better return than the going rate of inflation. If you have money invested, say at 2.5 per cent interest, and inflation goes above that rate, you are losing purchasing power. To beat inflation, your investment must deliver a higher return to you than the rate of inflation.<\/p>\n
Interest rates and inflation<\/h2>\n
In times of rising inflation RBA is likely to increase their policy interest rates. Then borrowing becomes more expensive. It encourages less spending\u2014because things are costly\u2014and more saving because you get higher interest on your savings. But if you are already in debt, you are going to have to pay more, when interest rates go up.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll need to consider these factors when making personal and business financial decisions.<\/p>\n
Here are eight things you can do to beat inflation in these tough times.<\/p>\n
1. Reconsider where you invest money<\/h2>\n
Some investments are a hedge against inflation. Others are not. So parking more money in ‘safer’ assets during inflationary times is one solution.<\/p>\n
“What is a safer asset?” you may wonder. Here, safer means two things. To hedge against inflation, you must ensure your money or assets grow at a higher rate than inflation. But you also must remember that some investments are safer than others because they carry less risk of losing your entire investment or its value. It pays to remember these two points when you consider new investment avenues in times of rising inflation.<\/p>\n
Gold is a perennial favourite.<\/strong> Investors everywhere turn to gold in times of stress, uncertainty, and yes, high inflation. Being a rare metal, and one in high demand, you can expect the price of gold to be on a rising trend. It rises even more during times of economic upheaval like now, and has been rising since COVID-19 emerged. Buy gold digitally or buy an ETF of gold to get exposure.<\/p>\n
2. Move your assets and savings to places with the highest rates of interest or returns<\/h2>\n
This is a second point, rather than part of the first, because you may be able to do it even without investing in new types of investment assets. You will be lucky if your bank can offer you better than a few percent interest on savings \u2013\u00a0hardly enough to keep pace with inflation.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where crypto savings accounts are beginning to come into vogue. They aren\u2019t the same as a bank account from a traditional bank. Because they are built on blockchain technology, they benefit from cheaper costs and exposure to greater gains. It is possible to move regular Aussie dollars, \u201cfiat money\u201d into a stable crypto coin, and stake it to earn 12 per cent interest per year. And as a bonus, the act of saving might compel you to save more and further cut down on spending.<\/p>\n
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