Like a line of falling dominos, lower rates from the Fed set off a chain reaction across the economy. They bring down the cost of financing big-ticket purchases — like home remodels or cars — as well as the returns that you earn when you keep cash in savings accounts or certificates of deposit (CD).

The Federal Reserve is expected to cut its short-term rate Wednesday for the second time this year despite an increasingly cloudy view of the economy it is trying to influence.

A number of prominent corporations have announced job cuts in recent days.