Australian Households Tap Into Savings as Living Costs Surge

Australian Households Tap Into Savings as Living Costs Surge

Recent interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) appear to be having their intended effect, as the nation's economic growth exhibits a slowdown. A recent article in realeastate.com.au highlights how rising costs are hitting both renters and property owners hard.

A closer inspection of the data uncovers that much of the remaining economic growth was predominantly bolstered by business investments and a revival in the tourism and international student sectors, post-pandemic. However, household consumption showcased a stagnant trend. Given the rising costs of essentials and skyrocketing mortgage repayments, consumers have largely curtailed discretionary spending.

Further compounding matters is the noticeable decrease in savings. The household saving ratio took a dip, settling at 3.2% in the June quarter compared to the 3.6% of earlier times. PropTrack's senior economist, Eleanor Creagh, points out that this is the lowest household savings rate observed since 2008. She attributes the shift to the impact of substantial rate increases since May 2022 and predicts further softening in spending habits as the ramifications of these hikes become more pronounced.

HSBC chief economist, Paul Bloxham, views the current GDP metrics as a positive indication for RBA's objectives, reflecting the delicate balance between slowing growth and gradual deflation.

Despite the RBA's recent decision to keep interest rates steady at 4.1% for the third consecutive month, AMP's deputy chief economist, Diana Mousina, suggests that households will continue depleting their savings. The ongoing strain on household budgets stems from elevated interest rates and increased inflation.

In financial terms, the annual interest payment burden for households has surged dramatically. Within the last year, households paid an astounding $82.8 billion in mortgage interest payments, nearly doubling from the previous year. Borrowers have experienced significant increases in their monthly mortgage payments, directly impacting their disposable income.

Consumer spending in the household sector increased marginally by 0.1% in the June quarter, accumulating a growth of 1.5% over the past year. As living costs, including mortgages, rents, utilities, and insurance, continue to climb, consumers are more inclined to direct their spending towards essential commodities. As a result, discretionary spending has faced a decline for three consecutive quarters.

Meanwhile, despite the headwinds of increased interest rates and inflation, the national property market remains buoyant. August witnessed national property prices climbing for the eighth consecutive month, with some urban areas even breaking previous records. A notable driver behind these soaring property prices is the scarcity of property listings throughout the year, which has substantially increased repayments and dampened borrowing capabilities.

In conclusion, while the Australian economy grapples with the challenges of interest rate hikes and elevated living costs, people are dipping into their savings more and more just to cover the expenses.Unfortunately, this looks to get worse as these cost pressures look to persist for awhile.This is a very important time for people to be truly disciplined with their money.There are many mutual benefits to be gained by pooling financial resources with trusted friends on Chippit to stay disciplined and get access money when you need it most.

The information contained on this web site is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser.