The greenback is currently at its strongest level since 2014, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Treasury Department.
It’s been a long time coming. After years of low interest rates and a steady climb in stock prices, investors have finally started to feel comfortable about the economy. That means they’re willing to spend money again. And while some economists say we could still be headed for a recession, others think the economy is already over the hump.
So what does it mean for the value of the dollar?
Well, it’s not good news for everyone. If the dollar gets stronger, it makes imports cheaper and exports more expensive. So if you’re buying things abroad, you’ll pay more. But if you’re selling stuff overseas, you’ll make less.
And that could hurt consumers who buy imported goods.
But it’s not just Americans who will be affected. As the dollar rises, so do the costs of everything from oil to food.
So how much of a difference will it really make? Let’s take a look.
If the dollar were to rise 10 percent, it would cost you $100 billion more per year.
That’s a lot of money.
But it’s only 0.03 percent of the total U.S. GDP.
So it’s not going to affect the average American’s pocketbook.
But it might affect your wallet if you live somewhere else.
A 10 percent increase in the dollar would cost you $100 million more each year.
That’s enough to put a dent in your savings.