The economy can often feel like it’s out of our control — a system that abides by its own forces that we have no power to influence. While business reporters tend to spotlight the rise and fall of stock prices and policymakers focus on gross domestic product (GDP) to push their agendas, these numbers don’t reflect the economic realities of most people. Stock prices may be soaring and GDP may be rising, but a majority of a country’s population may still be struggling to make ends meet.