The global stock market is currently at 18 P/E, which means barring any growth, it's an investment that returns 5.5% while keeping up with inflation long term.

The global stock market is currently at 18 P/E, which means barring any growth, it's an investment that returns 5.5% while keeping up with inflation long term. Right now, that's an expected 14% nominal and 5.5% real return (and there will be some growth over the medium and long term). In addition, moving up major purchases (housing, cars, appliances, long lasting commodities like toiletries) will retain value with inflation, instead of being eroded at -8% real from savings accounts.