Sarah Foster

U.S. economy reporter

Sarah Foster covers the Federal Reserve, the U.S. economy and economic policy for Bankrate. Originally from a small town in rural Illinois, Foster developed a passion for economics while watching her community recover from the Great Recession. She witnessed just how much Main Street is impacted by Wall Street and saw firsthand that the Federal Reserve’s most well-intentioned policies can still leave those most desperate for help behind.

Sarah previously worked for Bloomberg News, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Daily Herald and has been quoted in several national and regional media outlets, including Yahoo! News, NBC, the Toronto Star, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and more.

Sarah graduated with a bachelor’s in news-editorial journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she was a bronze tablet recipient for graduating in the top 3 percent of her class. She holds a master’s in business journalism from Northwestern University and is currently studying for her Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. She lives in New York City with her 12-year-old corgi Toby and has too many books and instruments to count.

Recent Articles By Sarah Foster

Retirement

Stimulus checks: Here’s how Social Security recipients and other non-filers can claim their $1,400 payment

Individuals exempt from filing a tax return could be days away from receiving their payment.

5 MIN READ Apr. 2, 2021

Banking

Stimulus checks: How adult dependents can claim their $1,400 payment

For the first time, adult dependents are eligible for a coronavirus stimulus check.

5 MIN READ Apr. 1, 2021

Banking

Survey: Top economists see elevated COVID-19 joblessness for at least another year

But the U.S. economy should pick up speed, thanks to fresh fiscal stimulus.

10 MIN READ Mar. 31, 2021

Banking

Child Tax Credit: When will your $3,000 (or $3,600) arrive and who’s eligible?

Experts warn the IRS may be hard-pressed to send out checks starting in July.

5 MIN READ Mar. 26, 2021

Banking

Third stimulus check: How to track your $1,400 relief payment

Has your $1,400 stimulus payment arrived yet? Here’s how to check the status.

6 MIN READ Mar. 24, 2021

Banking

Fed keeps rates near zero with bounce back from pandemic in sight

The Fed is pledging to keep aggressively supporting the economy, even after the pandemic officially ends.

7 MIN READ Mar. 17, 2021

Personal Finance

7 ways to help recession-proof your finances after coronavirus crisis

If the sagging economy is keeping you up at night, make sure your finances are on firm footing.

7 MIN READ Mar. 15, 2021

Banking

Preview of the Fed meeting: 3 themes to watch as economy moves past coronavirus pandemic

The Fed will have to convince markets that its tune won’t change, even as the times do.

7 MIN READ Mar. 15, 2021

Banking

Third stimulus check: How soon will those $1,400 payments arrive and who’s eligible?

The Biden administration sees this fulfilling its promise of sending $2,000 in total stimulus checks in 2021.

5 MIN READ Mar. 12, 2021

Banking

Coronavirus unemployment benefits: What to know about extended relief in next $1.9 trillion relief package

All federal coronavirus unemployment programs are set to be extended through Sept. 6.

3 MIN READ Mar. 10, 2021