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Assuming that those savers put the vast majority of their money in deflation-resistant assets like cash, bonds, or gold, instead of stocks or real estate (inclu

Assuming that those savers put the vast majority of their money in deflation-resistant assets like cash, bonds, or gold, instead of stocks or real estate (including single-family homes); this assumes further that deflation doesn’t increase unemployment and harm business by disincentivizing marginal spending, which many believe to be the case. I disagree that people have to speculate to keep up with inflation. Maybe this is true in the short term (although individual savers in America can purchase inflation-protected savings bonds in exchange for their capital being locked up for a year), but over terms of several years stock markets are incredibly durable in the face of even high inflation. Investing your ample savings in a portfolio of index funds and owning the house you occupy should keep you well ahead of inflation over your lifetime.

landemva 4y ago
This is a privileged perspective, typical of the HN crowd. Good for you. There is a segment in USA who are basically permanent renters and don't have the luxury of extra money to put in to stocks and bonds. They might "own" a car as their asset, and it rapidly loses value. If they have extra money in their checking account, the ex and child support enforcement go after it.
- javanissen 4y ago
  Let me clarify. I am privileged in many ways, and I agree that such a class exists and is growing. I’m in my twenties and almost everyone I know is a flat-broke renter. I did not mean to imply that everyone can easily save and invest their way to wealth regardless of their economic situation - this is ludicrous and anyone suggesting otherwise is out of touch. My clarified points are as follows: 1) Prudent savers, who by definition have extra money at the end of the month, are not better off due to deflation because the prudent thing to do with spare money is not to leave all of it in cash. Most non-cash non-fixed-income assets do terribly under deflationary conditions. 2) Homeowners, who are still a majority of American adults, definitely do not benefit from deflation. Homes are one of the assets that do terribly in deflation. 3) Many people, including me, believe that deflation drives up unemployment by chilling consumption. This is another argument why deflation is not good for savers - many of them lose the ability to save when their income evaporates. 4) Speculation is not necessarily to make any money left over keep up inflation in the long run. In the short run, outside of Series I bonds, good luck. Part of our disagreement might be in the definition of the term “saver”. To me, this is someone with both the inclination and means to have a surplus each month. Others might include someone with the inclination who might not have the means. Among that group, some folks might be better off if their income is flat but their cost of living decreases as that allows a budget surplus.

landemva 4y ago

This is a privileged perspective, typical of the HN crowd. Good for you. There is a segment in USA who are basically permanent renters and don't have the luxury of extra money to put in to stocks and bonds. They might "own" a car as their asset, and it rapidly loses value. If they have extra money in their checking account, the ex and child support enforcement go after it.

javanissen 4y ago
Let me clarify. I am privileged in many ways, and I agree that such a class exists and is growing. I’m in my twenties and almost everyone I know is a flat-broke renter. I did not mean to imply that everyone can easily save and invest their way to wealth regardless of their economic situation - this is ludicrous and anyone suggesting otherwise is out of touch. My clarified points are as follows: 1) Prudent savers, who by definition have extra money at the end of the month, are not better off due to deflation because the prudent thing to do with spare money is not to leave all of it in cash. Most non-cash non-fixed-income assets do terribly under deflationary conditions. 2) Homeowners, who are still a majority of American adults, definitely do not benefit from deflation. Homes are one of the assets that do terribly in deflation. 3) Many people, including me, believe that deflation drives up unemployment by chilling consumption. This is another argument why deflation is not good for savers - many of them lose the ability to save when their income evaporates. 4) Speculation is not necessarily to make any money left over keep up inflation in the long run. In the short run, outside of Series I bonds, good luck. Part of our disagreement might be in the definition of the term “saver”. To me, this is someone with both the inclination and means to have a surplus each month. Others might include someone with the inclination who might not have the means. Among that group, some folks might be better off if their income is flat but their cost of living decreases as that allows a budget surplus.