Summary: invest in assets (retains value and produces a return) rather than liabilities (loses value, even if just due to inflation). Investing into a savings/

Summary: invest in assets (retains value and produces a return) rather than liabilities (loses value, even if just due to inflation). Investing into a savings/checking account, for example, is a liability, as interest doesn't usually offset inflation. A fund that produces a 4% YoY return, on the other hand, is an asset. A house can be a liability if appreciation doesn't offset maintenance, mortgage interest, property taxes and insurance, and any gain that could've been had on the 20% down payment.