The Federal Reserve meets over the course of today and tomorrow to decide whether or not to change the interest rate.

Many Americans in debt will hoping that the rate remains at two percent or is reduced further still, while some economists, who are concerned that inflation in the country needs to be curbed, could be looking for the rate to increase.

The general consensus is that the Fed will keep rates as they are, but this will still leave US citizens struggling to make ends meet in the current economic climate of high gas prices and rising food costs.

By keeping rates at the same level, the prime lending rate - which applies to certain credit cards and loans - will remain at five percent, according to the Associated Press.

A poll by the Triangle Business Journal last week found that 60 percent of Americans want the level of interest to remain as it is, while the same percentage (20 percent) called for an increase and a decrease.

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