High prices and interest rates: Expert advice on managing your money

In the current economic climate, Europeans are facing increasing difficulties in making financial decisions. The rising cost of living, volatile energy prices, and higher borrowing costs have complicated even short-term planning. Financial risk management experts gathered at the HAT International Treasury Summit in Athens offered advice on handling personal and business finances.

Janet Legge, deputy chief executive of the UK-based Association of Corporate Treasurers, advises a cautious approach due to unpredictable international developments. Before making a major purchase or starting a business, Legge suggests considering essential expenses, covering costs without exhausting savings, avoiding unnecessary borrowing, and preparing for potential changes in income or costs. Moreover, she notes that interest rates are expected to soften but remain volatile.

Gilles Bonn-Long, an executive in corporate cash management, emphasizes the impact of geopolitical developments on living costs and advises consumers to strictly manage their spending. He recommends distinguishing between essential and discretionary expenses and using spending tracking systems. For businesses, uncertainty extends beyond product prices, affecting financing costs, raw material supply, and future investments.

To mitigate risks, Bonn-Long proposes hedging strategies, such as interest rate swaps and commodity price limits, to guard against rising variable interest rates and commodity price fluctuations.

Ralf Kesten, from German company cflox, acknowledges higher interest rates and recent crises' impact on businesses' operating costs and liquidity. However, he believes that various solutions are now available to address these challenges. Kesten suggests that higher interest rates and economic volatility present opportunities for businesses and consumers, as long as they proactively plan and adapt to changing circumstances.