Movements of the Demand Curve - 25 |
|
Demand or spending can be financed either out of savings, or by borrowing.
People will borrow more if they believe that economic conditions in the future will be better
than they are today. A key factor in positive consumer expectations is
employment. If people feel confident about future income, they borrow against it, and
spend. This increases sales for firms, and increases profits. These firms hire more labour;
and to a certain extent, you can ''guarantee'' your own
employment if you can create demand (and production and employment) somewhere else.
How much you borrow
is highly influenced by the size of the repayments and the level of interest rates.
If you borrow $10,000 for one year
at 12% interest (annual), you will clearly pay more than you would if you borrowed $10,000 at
5% interest (annual). If you borrow at 12%, you will have to repay $1,200 in interest; at 5%,
you will only have to pay back $500. In a sense, you have ''gained'' $700 in borrowing power.
You can borrow more than $10,000, maybe $10,500. You can increase your consumption,
and thus spending.
|