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Economy and Your Money

Economy and your money covers how the economy works and how it reaches household finances. It includes what people earn, borrow, save, insure, and pay in taxes, along with the public programs, markets, and rules around them. Federal, state, and local governments, the Federal Reserve, and private businesses all play a part.

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October 19last updated

An independent team explaining how government works

GovFacts is a nonpartisan site that makes government concepts, policies and programs easier to understand and use.

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All Articles on Economy and Your Money

How to Spot and Report Common Scams

Learn the warning signs in common scams, from AI voice cloning to QR code fraud, and see where to report each type and steps that may help limit losses.

23 Min Read

Your Rights as an Employee Regarding Breaks and Retaliation

Federal law doesn't require lunch or coffee breaks, but retaliation protections still apply. See how state rules differ and what's protected.

16 Min Read

How the Federal Reserve Sets Interest Rates

Explains how the Federal Reserve turns its target range for the federal funds rate into a real overnight rate using tools like IORB and repo facilities.

17 Min Read

401(k) vs. IRA vs. Roth: What’s the Difference?

Explains how a 401(k) and IRA differ, and how Roth changes the tax picture, covering contribution limits, early withdrawals, and RMDs.

21 Min Read

How Federal Housing Assistance Works

Explains how Section 8 and public housing work, who qualifies, and why waitlists and landlord refusals leave many families without help.

17 Min Read

Why Postal Workers Can’t Legally Strike

Postal workers cannot legally strike under federal law. This explains the 1970 mail strike and how arbitration settles pay disputes today.

20 Min Read

What Dodd-Frank Did After the 2008 Crash

Dodd-Frank created the CFPB and tried to end bank bailouts after 2008. See how the 2023 bank failures reopened debate over its success.

25 Min Read

Fiscal vs. Monetary Policy: What’s the Difference?

Fiscal policy is Congress setting taxes and spending. Monetary policy is the Fed setting interest rates. See which lever actually moves your paycheck or loans.

22 Min Read

Why Mail Fraud Is a Federal Crime

Learn why mail fraud became a federal crime, tracing the law from an 1872 statute to today's rules on intent, mailings, and penalties reaching 20 to 30 years.

22 Min Read

How to Protect Your Mail From Theft

Protect your mail from theft with daily collection habits, free USPS tools like Informed Delivery and Hold Mail, and steps to take in the first 24 hours.

20 Min Read