With millions of stimulus checks going out to taxpayers, Wall Street wants to know where that money will be spent -- and this week's data could help investors gauge the mind-set of the average consumer.

The stimulus checks may be in the mail but Americans are still waiting for another component of the federal stimulus package to bear full fruit.

While millions of Americans await their May "economic stimulus" checks promised by the federal government, a Sacramento-based credit union is rolling out a far more modest stimulus for some Californians.

Face it. The odds of a recession have grown. That's why the Fed slashed interest rates this week and why President Bush and Congress are eager to get checks into the hands of consumers. What should you do to prepare for a recession?