Economy & Policy
12 articles
Is the U.S. in a recession? And if a recession hasn’t hit yet, how long before it does? That’s not a simple question to answer. Learn about the many different indicators economists use to determine when the economy is going into a downturn, and which are flashing right now.
Whether you’re borrowing money or saving it, interest rates affect your personal finances. There are two types to keep track of: real and nominal interest rates. Learn the difference between them and find out which is more important.
History tells us that the next recession is right around the corner. The best time to prepare is now, before things turn ugly. Follow these tips to build your savings, cut your expenses, pad your income, and protect your job prospects.
There’s already a lot of misinformation out there about the Credit Card Competition Act. Before you decide whether you’re in the pro or con camp, it’s important to understand what the law is, how it will work, and who it helps and, yes, harms.
Economic historians — and anyone who lived through it — will remember 2022 as a year of rapidly rising interest rates. From closely watched benchmarks like the federal funds rate to rates on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards, the year ended with much higher rates than when it started. Even if you pay your
The theory behind the gold standard is that it keeps overspending and inflation in check. While that sounds like something that couldn’t go wrong, the reality doesn’t live up to the hype.
You’re probably not alone if you’ve always wondered what benchmark interest rates were but were too afraid to admit you didn’t already know. Learn what they are, how they work, and how they affect you.
Immigration has long been a controversial subject for Americans, despite the country’s reputation as the world’s melting pot. In times of economic uncertainty, emotions run especially high, and partisans on both sides of the political divide use immigration controversy for their own gain. Knowing what’s fact and what’s fiction is particularly tricky in the unregulated, anonymous world
Quantitative tightening is a part of monetary policy that occurs when a nation’s central bank unwinds assets on its balance sheet by letting fixed-income securities it owns reach maturity. It helps to fight inflation gradually. Learn how quantitative tightening affects the markets and the economy.
When the economy is in crisis and the central bank has exhausted its normal playbook, it can enact a quantitative easing (QE) program to inject money into the economy. But what does that mean exactly and what are the effects? Learn about quantitative easing and what it means for you.
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. With major provisions on climate, energy, health care, and taxes, it’ll affect every American in the coming years. Find out what’s in it and what it might mean for your life.
The Federal Reserve, commonly known as the Fed, is the central bank of the United States. It’s tasked with managing the nation’s economy, providing banking services to the US government, and determining monetary policy. Learn more about its history and how it works.