Step 1: Understanding the Relationship Between Interest Rates and Borrowing/Spending:
When interest rates decrease, it becomes cheaper to borrow money. As borrowing becomes less costly, individuals and businesses are more likely to take loans to finance consumption and investment. This increase in borrowing typically leads to higher spending in the economy.
Step 2: Analyzing the Options:
- Option (A): A decrease in interest rates generally leads to an increase in consumption, not a decrease.
- Option (B): A decrease in interest rates encourages borrowing, rather than decreasing it.
- Option (C): A decrease in interest rates encourages consumption and borrowing, which may not directly encourage savings.
- Option (D): Lower interest rates lead to an increase in borrowing and spending, as individuals and firms are more likely to borrow at lower rates to finance their expenditures.
Step 3: Conclusion:
When interest rates fall, borrowing and spending increase, making option (D) the correct answer.