New Zealand's net foreign liabilities, essentially what we owe to the rest of the world, fell to 55 per cent last year. That's the lowest level since the 1980s, and a far cry from almost 85 per cent back in 2009.
However, we still borrow a lot of money offshore so we can't ignore global trends. If the cost of money is rising everywhere else, we'd be foolish to think we're completely immune.
It's an interesting time for the US Fed, and especially new chairman Jay Powell, who took over from Janet Yellen earlier this year.
Having persisted with near-zero interest rates for eight years, the Fed has raised interest rates six times since the end of 2015, with the most recent hike coming just last month. They're planning another two increases this year, with three more rate rises pencilled in for 2019 and two more in 2020.
If things play out that way, it will take the US cash rate to about 3.4 per cent, more than a full percentage point higher than what our own Reserve Bank is forecasting the OCR to be at the same time.
Rising interest rates aren't all bad, even if it means rising costs for borrowers and headwinds for asset prices. The Fed is simply responding to a strengthening economy where unemployment is falling, wage rises are on the horizon and inflation might even make a long awaited reappearance.
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
For sure, things are pretty buoyant stateside. The NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism hit the highest level since 1983 last month, with tax cuts and deregulation a notable driver of the positive mood.
With a bit of luck, this might all see the US dollar make a bit of a comeback over the next few years.
The greenback has been unloved for a while now, but the world's largest economy might also be one of the higher yielding markets before too long. Ironically, that might push New Zealand inflation up (as the cost of imports rises), which could open the door to higher interest rates of our own.
• Mark Lister is head of private wealth research at Craigs Investment Partners.
