Homeowners who refinanced their mortgages took out cash and reduced their monthly payments at the same time. Much of the cash obtained by refinancing was spent on consumer durables, home improvements and the like.

He is among the 10 most influential economists in the world according to IDEAS/RePEc. A. In March 2007 the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation announced that one of four 2007 Bradley Prizes to honor outstanding achievement would be awarded to Feldstein.

Martin Stuart "Marty" Feldstein (born November 25 1939) is an American economist. He is currently the George F. Baker Professor of Economics at Harvard University and the president emeritus of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).