The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at the end of its two-day meeting on March 19. Although the central bank is on the sidelines, for now, some consumer loan rates are starting to ease, giving households a little breathing room.

U.S. retail sales for February, data Fed officials will see before kicking off their two-day policy meeting on Tuesday, were weaker than expected.

But while the Fed's pause means credit card interest rates likely won't climb higher in the immediate future, that doesn't mean relief is on the way. Credit card APRs remain at re

Today, the Federal Reserve voted to extend a pause on rate cuts for a second consecutive time this year.  The Fed's pause could keep mortgage interest rates — which are sensitive to fiscal policy and economic growth — higher for longer.

Related: Fed's wait and see approach could create 'heightened volatility' JEAN CHATZKY: Whether you're talking about borrowing or saving, we have no control of the Federal Reserve