Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is known for providing clear signals about the central bank’s next interest rate move in order to avoid roiling markets. But Wall Street was mostly clueless this week when it came to predicting how big a rate cut the Fed would deliver on Wednesday.

This reader wonders whether CD rates, high-yield savings accounts and bond ladders are still smart moves, even if interest rates keep dropping.

If you have a mortgage rate of 6.9% or higher, have a good credit score, and at least 20% equity in your home, it could pay to refinance.