5 Tips on how to shield your finances from debt default
By zoeysky // 2023-06-01
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President Joe Biden doesn't have a lot of time left to stop America from defaulting on its debts for the first time in history, a move that could trigger financial chaos for American households. At the same time, negotiations are ongoing between the White House and Congressional Republicans as they deliberate raising the U.S. government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling. If you're worried about the future, invest wisely to protect your finances from debt default. Analysts previously warned that a default could result in mortgage payments skyrocketing and the loss of seven million jobs. It could also result in investments plummeting. Ratings agency Fitch cautioned that a default could put America's "AAA" credit rating on a negative watch. Finance experts are also encouraging American households to prepare for a worst-case scenario. Bloomberg Economics Director David Wilcox said the more time passes, "the more realistic the possibility becomes that we have a full-blown disaster." To improve your finances while preparing for the worst, here are some useful tips:

Pay off your credit cards

A default could cause an increase in yields on U.S. treasuries to account for the increased risk. This could be an issue if you have credit cards because Treasury Yields usually set the benchmark for interest rates, loans, credit cards and mortgages. In turn, repayment rates on these loans could see more hikes down the line. If possible, try to pay off any debts to get ahead of rising borrowing costs. You should also postpone new loans, such as on a car or a new home, and wait until interest rates settle. If you are struggling with credit card debt, try to pay more than the minimum so pay less interest overall. If you have several cards, target one debt at a time so you don't get overwhelmed financially.

Budget for social security payment delays

Social security payments could also be stopped overnight if America defaults on its debt. At least 66 million retirees, disabled workers and others receive monthly benefits which total $1,827 a month on average. And around two-thirds of beneficiaries rely on Social Security for at least 50 percent of their income. According to the Congressional Budget Office, an estimated $25 billion is sent out each week. Additionally, other government payments could be affected, such as funding for food stamps and municipalities for Medicaid. This could also delay the paychecks of at least two million federal civilian workers and 1.4 million active-duty military members. If your household relies on these checks, start preparing an emergency fund and budget for a default. (Related: Scalise: Biden doesn’t have Plan B if he vetoes McCarthy’s debt bill.) Cook more meals at home and avoid eating out whenever possible to save money.

Be cautious and don't overinvest

A default could trigger a "relief rally" in the market, which may tempt investors to send their money into stocks while they are low. Earlier, Moody's Analytics advised that stocks could shed at least one-third of their value even if an agreement is reached. The result would mean that $12 trillion is wiped from household debts. However, the added pressure on the economy means investing while stocks are low could be extremely high-risk. Be cautious since it is rarely a good idea for amateur investors to attempt to time the market. Jessica Schifalacqua, a Vanguard spokesman, said that their "general guidance is for investors to maintain a balanced portfolio in keeping with their goals and to remain disciplined." Schifalacqua added that a long-term view is crucial, particularly "during periods of uncertainty." Teresa Ghilarducci, a labor economist and retirement security expert at The New School, advised citizens to fight their "worst instinct to act on the news." ''All the academic research shows that if you buy and hold, you will do so much better than if you try to follow market trends, whether that be responding to an economic crisis or a recession," said Ghilarducci. Experts also suggest not to panic because stocks "historically roar back after big declines."

Try to adjust your 401K

Experts also say that volatility in the stock market could affect 401K, depending on your equity-to-bond allocation. If you are employed, take time to review the investments tied to your retirement fund and make adjustments if necessary. Stocks are traditionally riskier than bond investments and are more likely to fluctuate as the deadline approaches, and they will come under the most pressure in the coming days. To address this, experts suggest considering increasing your bond allocation and opting for high-quality investments.

Postpone the purchase of your dream home

Property platform Zillow cautioned that homeowners could see mortgage rates increase by as much as 8.4 percent by September. In real terms, this means it would push up the average mortgage repayment by at least 22 percent. In May, average mortgage rates already skyrocketed above seven percent for the first time since March 2023. Because of this, experts advised homebuyers to wait for rates to stabilize before entering into a costly agreement, like buying a new home. Jully-Alma Taveras, a personal finance expert from InvestingLatina.com, said this means more households may have to continue renting until things settle down. Artin Babayan, a home loan officer based in Los Angeles, said that there could be a significant drop in buyers and when that happens, property prices could fall. At the same time, different construction and home improvement projects may be put on hold. Visit GovernmentDebt.news for more updates on America's public debt. Watch the video below to see Sen. Ron Johnson discussing House Republicans' budget bill. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

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