How The Economic Works

4 minutes of reading / Business Credit, Credit Report, Military, Personal Credit / 04/23/2020

Economics 101 -- How the Economic Machine Works.

A Economics 101 -- "How the Economic Machine Works." Created by Ray Dalio this simple but not simplistic and easy to follow 30 minute, animated video answers the question, "How does the economy really work?" Based on Dalio's practical template for understanding the economy, which he developed over the course of his career, the video breaks down economic concepts like credit, deficits and interest rates, allowing viewers to learn the basic driving forces behind the economy, how economic policies work and why economic cycles occur.

To learn more about Economic Principles visit: http://www.economicprinciples.org.

Understanding the economy in 10 easy steps

The Reserve Bank of Australia's decisions about the cash rate are not just about setting the interest rate for mortgages. The economy is not controlled by one set of numbers but reviews a variety of factors.

It helps to understand the various signals that experts look for when making decisions that will ultimately affect your pocket book. For most households, key indicators that affect your daily life the most are interest rates, inflation and unemployment.

Staying abreast of the economic signals can assist you to make wise financial decisions and not get caught out.

Here are my top 10 basic economic factors worth understanding:

1. Cash rate

The cash rate also called the official interest rate, and it is the interest rate off which all borrowing is based. The rate is controlled by the Reserve Bank, though technically it is the rate the banks charge each other for overnight borrowing, to maintain positive balances with the Reserve Bank. When the economy is improving, the Reserve Bank raises interest rates to slow the economy; when the economy needs some stimulation, interest rates are reduced to low levels such as today's 2 per cent. The Reserve Bank uses the cost of money to control demand.

2. Inflation

Inflation is the rising cost of goods and services. The Reserve Bank uses the cash rate to keep inflation within the bounds of 2-3 per cent. The idea is that when money is cheap, we'll spend a lot and prices will rise; when interest rates are high, we won't spend so much and prices won't rise so fast. Inflation is currently 1.7 per cent – don't expect a rate rise soon.

3. GDP

The growth of gross domestic product (GDP) measures how fast the economy is growing. GDP growth is like a national scorecard and is currently around 3.0 per cent, above the global trend.

4. Global growth

The Reserve Bank looks at global growth because it defines the health of our broader market place. The International Monetary Fund put global growth at 2.4 per cent in 2015 and forecasts 2.9 per cent for this year.

5. Labour market

Strong employment is essential when you control the economy with interest rates. Banks won't lend to those with no job and economic confidence is weak with high unemployment. The Australian unemployment rate is currently 6.0 per cent; in comparison, in Canada it's 7.2 per cent and in the UK it's 5.1 per cent.

6. Exchange rate

The current "low" exchange rate of the Australian dollar against the US dollar is more a return to trend. It makes some imports more expensive but it helps exporters.

7. Industrial v services economy

The RBA refers to the "mining economy" and the "non-mining economy" (all industries other than mining). Economic growth has traditionally been based on the mining industry in Australia, which is currently not experiencing growth. However, Australia has seen recent growth in the non-mining sector. This economic transition matches the recent Chinese shift from industrial to a services economy.

8. Household consumption

Household consumption equals consumer confidence in buying and selling goods and services. It is currently strong.

9. Balance of trade

This is simply the difference between how much we export and how much we import. Every economy would love to export more than it imports and Australia usually hasn't. Since 1971 our normal state is to have a trade deficit.

10. Business investment

One of the big stimulants for not only the economy but also the jobs market, is business investment. In 2015, capital expenditure was down around 16 per cent on 2014.

Mark Bouris is executive chairman of Yellow Brick Road.

NB. This article has been altered to correct the definition of "cash rate".

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Bill H.R. 3621 The Comprehensive Credit Act of 2020

2 minutes of reading / Business Credit, Credit Report, Military, Personal Credit / 02/06/2020

The House passed Ayanna Pressley’s credit score reform bill. Here’s what it would do.

“American families are finding themselves trapped in cycles of debt, simply for trying to afford basic needs like healthcare and education.”

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley speaks on the House floor in support of H.R. 3621 – the Comprehensive Credit Rating Enhancement, Disclosure, Innovation, and Transparency (CREDIT) Act of 2020, legislation she sponsored to affirm the right of all consumers to a fair and transparent credit reporting process.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley says she is “thrilled” that the House of Representatives passed her bill to reform the credit report system, though the legislation’s future in the Senate is unclear.

The House approved the Comprehensive Credit Reporting Enhancement, Disclosure, Innovation, and Transparency (CREDIT) Act on a mostly party-line vote Wednesday afternoon.

Pressley — who has championed often-arcane financial reform bills during her first term in Congress — says the legislation would address a “fundamentally flawed” system that can impede upward economic mobility in a country where “our credit reports are our reputations.”

“When credit reports determine where you can live, work and how much you will have to pay for everything from a car to a college degree, consumers deserve a system that ensures equity, transparency and accountability,” the Massachusetts congresswoman said in a statement. “American families are finding themselves trapped in cycles of debt, simply for trying to afford basic needs like healthcare and education.”

2021 is Your Year for a Better Credit Score

There’s no more room for excuses. Either we want to live a life without debt or with it? The choice is yours but the rewards with better credit are life changing. Schedule your free credit consultation today here Schedule Free Credit Consultation

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