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> …The economics of investing in bonds (and most financial assets) has become stupid ... Rather than get paid less than inflation why not instead buy stuff—any
by paulmd 6y ago
> …The economics of investing in bonds (and most financial assets) has become stupid ... Rather than get paid less than inflation why not instead buy stuff—any stuff—that will equal inflation or better?
That is indeed the point of driving interest rates low or negative - to force people into economic activity. If holding a bond makes you negative money, you might as well buy something with it, which goes back into the economy.
It seems like there's this sense that putting your money into the market should always generate a return, and yet we have an economy that is driven by spending. The interest rate is how those are reconciled.
- anm89 6y ago> force people into economic activity Try telling that to the pensions.
- BenoitEssiambre 6y agoAlso note that you can save by buying stuff. Materialize your savings for a 2% a year compounding tax free return. Get discounts by buying in bulk. Urban dwellers might be more limited but for people who have unused or underused space, this is a way to get a return on that space. Buy all you will need for the next decade of: Salt, sugar, socks, underwear, under-shirts, vinegar, soap bars, toothbrushes, razor blades, feminine products, toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, trash bags, freezer bags, sandwich bags, foil paper, parchment paper, plastic wrap, wax paper, candles, matches, diapers, pet supplies (litter, etc.), gardening supplies, building supplies, repair supplies, medical supplies, fire wood, wood pellets, long lasting appliances and furniture, kitchenware, dinnerware, sheets and pillowcases, blankets,comforter,bedspreads, maintenance, renovations, efficiency upgrades, land, bigger house. Some liquid soaps and chemicals have a limited shelf life of just a couple of years so it might be better to avoid unless you know the shelf life. Also be careful buying more than you need which can lead to waste. Be careful being wasteful just because you have lots of stuff at home. Buying alcohol ahead of time in bulk works if you have the discipline not to drink more. Also to get a good return you need to use the full life of your stuff before replacing from your stash, not replace early because it's right there. There is also a macroeconomic benefit to this approach. It can get the economy out of Keynesian recessions when people save by buying. You are however limited in total value by the free space you have.
- em500 6y agoIt's hard to tell if this post was satire or something the author genuinely believes.
- harambae 6y agoI was trying to figure this out myself. I don't think you need to stockpile 10 years worth of firewood because firewood may be too expensive in 9 years. I think this is insane on a few levels, but to each their own.
- BenoitEssiambre 6y agoI mean wood would be for a small minority but after being loaded on stocks the alternative is often speculative zero sum type assets where people's savings are indirectly debt or liabilities to other people. Buying stuff you're going to need later is the opposite of speculation, not zero sum because it puts people to work to create something tangible and right now you get a better return than a lot of safe assets like bonds.
- wintermutestwin 6y agoThis raises an interesting point in the inflation discussion: Inflation is always relative to the things you purchase now and in the future. Standardized measurements of inflation might not apply to your situation at all. Instead why not track the inflation of the things you actually purchase?