How the Fed Works

The Fed: It's a very mysterious part of the government. But if you own a house, have a bank account or write checks, the Federal Reserve System affects your life every day. See how this 'gatekeeper' of the U.S. economy aims to keep things level, even in tumultuous times.

Visit the mystical world of the Fed and learn about terms like monetary policy, discount rates, and open market operation.… » Full Story on HowStuffWorks