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Cut your costs...now

Maybe you don’t think too much of it when the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, but I’d say you’re wrong.

The Fed has sent you a message: Get up and get going now, to cut your costs of borrowing.

If you have a home equity line of credit, for example, that rate should be lower today, not just by this week’s quarter-point cut. The Fed has actually been cutting rates drastically since last September. It has slashed a total of 3 and a quarter percentage points off a key short-term rate.

Which means that even if you took out a home equity loan just a few months ago, you could lower your interest rate significantly by refinancing it now.

If you have a revolving line of credit tied to your home equity, your payment may drop. Or you could move that debt over to a fixed-rate, fixed term loan. Lock in the lower rate and you’ll pay back less overall.

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Comments

Harriet,

In Illinois mortgage rates are holding steady. I have a standing order to refinance (15-year fixed)as soon as rates hit 5.25%. But so far, my agent is unable to find that rate for me.

To make it even more difficult to find a great rate, mortgage companies and banks are far less eager to lend and the requirements are strict.

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About This Blog

You've got the job of managing your money. No one in school taught you how.

But you and I, we can teach each other, how to handle it, how to save for retirement, how to make money... < More >

Harriet Johnson Brackey Harriet Johnson Brackey, the personal finance writer for the Sun-Sentinel, has been an award-winning business...< More >

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