“Back in my day, we used to pay a nickel for a pack of gum. And we would walk to school, uphill, both ways, in the rain!” – Every Grandparent Ever
I have never understood how you can walk uphill, both ways. If you walk uphill one way, don’t you have to walk back down the same hill to arrive at the original starting point?
But, I am 100% on board with 5 cent packs of gum! So, what happened, and why are we paying five times that amount now?
It’s a measure of the rate at which goods and services increase in price. The Federal Reserve is in charge of monitoring inflation and their goal is to keep it at 2% per year. (See even the Fed has goals and you should, too!)
Thanks to inflation, prices are constantly going up. Today, the goods you want to buy are lower in price than they will be in the future. Fox example, the $100 item you can buy now, will likely cost $102 a year from now. This makes your dollars more valuable in the present than they will be in the future.
Since prices are consistently rising, consumers are more willing to spend their money today. After all, the price of the same goods will be even more expensive in the future, and this helps to move the economy along as well.
The two main sources of inflation are demand and the amount it costs to produce a good or service. Demand is the number of goods and services that a consumer is willing to purchase.
Consider the demand for gasoline and let’s assume the supply doesn’t change. When the demand for gas increases, there is a shortage, and the price will rise. Or if the demand falls, there will be a surplus, and the price will fall.
The other factor contributing to inflation is the cost of producing a good or service. As you know, businesses exist to make a profit. When the cost of producing their widget increases, their profit decreases. So, for a company to remain profitable and open, they must increase the prices that consumers pay.
Let’s examine a hamburger restaurant (sorry PETA). If there is a beef shortage, the price will rise. The increase in the cost of beef makes it more expensive for the restaurant to make hamburgers. So, the restaurant will increase the price of its burgers to maintain profitability. Otherwise, the restaurant may risk not having enough money to pay its obligations!
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Producer Price Index (PPI) are the two key metrics used to measure inflation. The CPI tracks changes in the price of goods and services from one period to the next from the consumer’s perspective. This index monitors the expenses in your budget (such as housing, transportation, food) and how they change over time. You can find the latest CPI data on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website.
The PPI is like the CPI. It also monitors how prices fluctuate over time. But, it focuses on the producer or seller’s point of view. The PPI tracks the different components and parts that get used to produce or manufacture goods. A few examples include materials, wages, and fuel. The BLS publishes the latest PPI data too.
Other than the unemployment rate, these two metrics are the most useful for determining the health of the economy. Not only do they indicate whether the economy is contracting or expanding, but they also help determine the effectiveness of the Fed’s economic policy.
The Fed’s goal is to keep inflation at 2%. If data shows their over the target, it could be a sign that they will take steps to reduce inflation. They accomplish this by raising interest rates or increasing banks’ reserve requirements. This slows lending and the growth of the money supply.
If inflation falls below the target, they could look to decrease interest rates or reserve requirements. Both of these encourage borrowing which increases the money supply and sparks economic growth.
Saving money is important. It’s the foundation of building wealth and you need to do it to reach your financial goals. But, inflation hurts savers the most!
Currently, the interest you earn on savings accounts is lower than the inflation rate. As a result, keeping your money in the bank generates a negative real rate of return!
Inflation is also a negative form of compounding interest. Every year it grows, making your dollars worth exponentially less in the process!
Inflation grows more quickly than money in the bank too, too. This erodes the purchasing power of your capital, forcing you to save more money and spend more hours working to be able to retire!
To beat inflation, you must apply the knowledge from above. By using the Fed’s target rate, CPI, and PPI; you can make better spending and investing decisions!
For example, if inflation is climbing the Fed may look to slow it by increasing interest rates. As a consumer, you could use this information to your benefit. If you are in the market for a mortgage then you would want to lock in your rate before there’s a potential increase.
When the Fed increase’s interest rates, the cost of borrowing money also rises. This results in higher payments on your loans. You can save money by taking action today and getting a lower rate. Which yields lower monthly expenses and more money to put towards your goals!
Or if inflation data is below the target, the Fed may consider lowering interest rates. Those who invest in government bonds may conclude these are clues and a buying opportunity, since a decrease in rates means an increase in bond prices!
Bottom line, the key to beating inflation is to invest. Find investments that you understand, are comfortable making, and that offer rates of return greater than inflation. This is the only way your money will have ‘real’ growth.
Inflation is a hidden tax that devalues your money each and every year. Take action, invest your capital, and get ‘real’ returns.
Are you worried about inflation? Comment below.
Retirement and estate planning may seem like a distant concept for those in their 20s…
Who doesn't desire a life filled with joy, abundance, and freedom? However, many of us…
Are you feeling overwhelmed by unexpected expenses? Puzzled by the state of your bank account…
Many people think their friends are wealthier or don't experience the same financial difficulties as…
Most of us start our adult lives as consumers. We work hard for our money…
There's a myth that self-care is expensive. People think they need to drink expensive smoothies…
This website uses cookies.