Barefoot Investor says now is the time to 'panic' for mortgage holders

Barefoot Investor says now is the time to 'panic' for mortgage holders MailOnline logo

The Barefoot Investor has warned that now is the time to 'panic' for Australians with a mortgage over fears interest rates won't come down anytime soon.

Scott Pape sounded the alarm blaming the Budget for the grim advice he had been forced to deliver to millions of homeowners.

Mr Pape revealed in the lead-up to the Budget that he was avoiding it for the first time in 20 years, describing it as 'poor man's prime-time political theatre'.

He doubled down on his attack following its release on Tuesday, taking aim at one particular cost-of-living relief package.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced every Aussie household - regardless of income - would receive a $300 rebate on energy bills from July 1.

Dr Chalmers claimed the payment to roughly 10million homes wouldn't increase inflation, but Mr Pape is wary of the comment.

'I’m sureJames Packeris very happy he’s getting $300 off his power bill, struggling as he is,' he wrote in a column for the Daily Telegraph.

He added the Federal Treasury's prediction that the payment won't increase inflation was made by 'hundreds of the smartest economic boffins in the land'.

'The Treasury has 123 years of experience (since 1901) working with the Government analysing the impact of their policies – and they are officially forecasting that inflation will continue to fall,' Mr Pape wrote.

'The problem is that their track record of economic predictions is worse than my boys’ aim at the toilet.'

The cash rate is currently at 4.35 per cent while inflation sits at 3.6 per cent in Australia.

Mr Pape said the best option for homeowners is to 'panic... panic early'.

'Ask yourself what would happen if you lost your job, or you got sick, or interest rates went up,' he wrote.

'In other words, you need to do something that Jimbo hasn’t been able to do: make some hard decisions, right now.'

Leading economists sung a similar tune to the Barefoot Investor with many saying the rebate and Stage 3 tax cuts would influence more consumer spending.

Increased spending will only stoke inflation and keep inflation rates hate, which in turn could force the economy into a recession.

Committee for Economic Development of Australia chief economist Cassandra Winzar said cost-of-living relief that's not means-tested risks working against the central bank as the wealthy will simply splurge the extra money.

'Electricity rebates may alleviate headline inflation but will drive spending elsewhere,' Ms Winzar said.

Economist and budget expert Chris Richardson said the budget was expansionary, with $9.5 billion in new spending in the next 12 months.

'The government said it wouldn't front-load stuff, it would be careful not to poke the inflationary bear, it would put it at the back - they have absolutely got it in the front,' he said.

Read more
  • https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/barefoot-investor-says-now-is-the-time-to-panic-for-mortgage-holders/ar-BB1mDIAK?ocid=00000000

Related

New Man Utd boss impressed by the support at Old Trafford

New Man Utd boss impressed by the support at Old Trafford

News
What to do in Vienna? 8 must-see sites to visit in the Austrian capital

What to do in Vienna? 8 must-see sites to visit in the Austrian capital

News
Sainz set for earlier than expected Williams F1 debut

Sainz set for earlier than expected Williams F1 debut

News
Krish Arora shows Metro his astonishing skills on the piano

Krish Arora shows Metro his astonishing skills on the piano

News
Argentina: Javier Mascherano is the new Inter Miami coach

Argentina: Javier Mascherano is the new Inter Miami coach

News
Ranking the 25 best coaches in football history

Ranking the 25 best coaches in football history

News
The Best Movies of the 21st Century

The Best Movies of the 21st Century

News