Personal Finance & Money Stack Exchange
Personal Finance & Money Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [inflation]

For questions that relate to inflation, which is the general increase in the prices of goods and services over a period of time.

Inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a loss of real value in the internal medium of exchange and unit of account in the economy.

Inflation - From Wikipedia

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Are you preparing for a possible dollar (USD) collapse? (How?)

After the last crisis it was easy for many to look back and say all the signs were there to indicate an impending crisis. Super-low interest rates from the FED, no down-payment loans, interest-only loans, under qualified borrowers, flipping of…
Muro
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Is inflation a good or bad thing? Why do governments want some inflation?

Is inflation a good or bad thing? Why do governments want some inflation?
user454
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Why would I ever put my money into a savings account that returns less than the current inflation rate?

I like a safe investment as much as the next guy. But can anyone give me a good argument on why I should invest in a bond or a savings account that returns less than inflation? It seems to me that I am guaranteeing myself to lose, if I do that.…
DevShark
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Why do governments borrow money instead of printing it?

This question is raised in the movie Money as Debt (at time index 29:00). The answer that immediately pops to my head is "because printing money causes inflation". However, according to this movie, money is created not only by printing it but rather…
ripper234
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Why can more jobs mean more inflation and decreased stock prices? What are other links in the chain to watch out for?

Many news outlets, such as this one (there are many examples), are reporting that the current US stock sell-off is due to a stronger-than-expected jobs report in January and fears of inflation and rising interest rates. I don't follow the logic, so…
NeutronStar
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What does inflation mean to me?

Everyone buys different kinds of goods. For example I don't smoke tobacco so I'm not affected by increased tobacco prices. I also don't have a car so I'm not affected by the reduced oil prices either. But my landlord increased the monthly fee of the…
Calmarius
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Prices go up and salary doesn't: where goes delta?

I'm not sure that question is appropriate here, if it is not I will delete it. Question: I heard that in USA prices are rising, but salaries are not. This looks strange to me. It means that companies get more money for selling stuff and services,…
Andrey
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What does an x% inflation rate actually mean?

I've been reading some explanations of inflation and I think I generally understand what it is. What I don't understand however, and I believe this should be trivial, is what a (monthly) inflation of x% actually means. Let's say there's a product…
welluhmok
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Is physical gold inflation-proof?

I always assumed that physical gold is inflation-proof, but my advisor at my bank claimed it is not — unfortunately without going into details. Now I wonder what he meant. My assumption was: If I buy gold now for $100 and that inflation reduces the…
Demento
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What Was "A Lot of Money" In 1971?

In 1971 before the United States left the gold standard, the median home price was approximately $24,000. Now, the median home price is approximately $180,000. For people who were alive then and remember the zeitgeist, what was considered "a lot of…
wpquestionz
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Relationship between silver and gold prices historically

Can anyone tell me, or point me to documentation that shows the historic relationship between gold and silver prices? Or, better yet, can anyone point me to a source that shows monthly or weekly gold and silver prices for perhaps the last 50-75…
Randy Minder
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Do Banks Cause Inflation? What are other possible causes?

Some people believe that inflation is caused by an increase in the money supply when the banks print more notes engage in fractional reserve lending. Is this correct? As I understand it, when there is more available money in the market, the price of…
lamwaiman1988
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Is there any way to know how much new money the US is printing?

There is a lot of talk about the Fed printing money. Is there any way to know how much new money is being printed and when?
tucson
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What is the best way to invest in gold as a hedge against inflation without having to hold physical gold?

What is the best way to invest in gold as a hedge against inflation without having to hold physical gold? Is it possible for a regular person to just purchase shares in GLD?
D R
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True cost of a mortgage when considering inflation

For the purposes of this question, let's assume the following: Inflation is and will be a steady 2% I am in the 30% tax bracket and there is a home mortgage interest deduction I have a 30-year fixed mortgage at an interest rate of 4% Housing values…
reo katoa
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