Core Points - The Federal Reserve lowered its key interest rate target by 25 basis points, but Chairman Jerome Powell cautioned that further actions in 2025 are not guaranteed [1] - Experts anticipate continued rate decreases over the next six to twelve months, with some predicting four more cuts by the end of 2026 [1] Fixed Income Investment - Concerns about a potential pause in rate cuts in December led to a decline in bond prices [3] - Long-term investors may still find fixed income a good source of income, as bond yields move inversely to prices [4] Cash and Savings - High-yield savings account rates are currently around 4%, exceeding inflation by about one percentage point, making it a viable option for cash storage [5] - It is advised to act quickly on fixed-rate CDs before the next rate cut occurs [6] Credit Cards - Credit card users are expected to save approximately $1.92 billion in interest over the next 12 months due to the recent rate cut [7] - Current average credit card interest rates are 24.19%, down from 24.92% at the beginning of the year, with expectations of further declines [7] Mortgages and Home Equity Loans - Mortgage rates linked to the 10-year U.S. Treasury have decreased by nearly 0.75 percentage points this year, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropping to 6.26% [8] - Predictions indicate that mortgage rates will stabilize in the coming month, with expectations of rates falling below 6% within the next 12 months [8]