> if you have the money now, you can have it later (by not spending it) I think this is where your argument breaks down. As pointed out by many other comments,

> if you have the money now, you can have it later (by not spending it) I think this is where your argument breaks down. As pointed out by many other comments, there is non-zero cost and/or risk to ensuring that if you have money now, that you will still have it later. Matresses burn, stashes get stolen, vaults or insurance cost money. FDIC is limited.