In this episode of 'Your Personal Economist,' Michelle Meyer, Chief Economist at the Mastercard Economics Institute, explains how Federal Reserve rate changes ripple through the economy and shape your financial decisions.
- When the Fed adjusts rates, borrowing can become more or less expensive, directly affecting opportunities for major purchases and investments.
- The Fed’s decisions impact mortgage rates and the cost of car loans, impacting those “big-ticket” and “big-decision” purchases.
- Changes in interest rates can influence consumer decisions, leading to shifts in spending during times of significant policy changes.


Fed rate changes might sound distant, but their impact can be extremely personal. They shape the cost of borrowing, the pace of spending and the choices we make every day.
Michelle Meyer Chief Economist and Head of the Mastercard Economics Institute
Access previous episodes here:
Episode 9
Tariffs today: what they mean for you
In this episode of Your Personal Economist, Michelle Meyer, Chief Economist at the Mastercard Economics Institute, breaks down what tariffs really mean for your wallet.
Episode 8
2025 holiday forecast
In this episode of ‘Your Personal Economist,’ Michelle Meyer, Chief Economist at the Mastercard Economics Institute, unwraps the 2025 holiday spending trends that matter most to shoppers.

