Savings only decrease in value when they're not exposed to some risk. Cash in a safe is going to devalue at the rate of inflation because it's exposed to (almos

Savings only decrease in value when they're not exposed to some risk. Cash in a safe is going to devalue at the rate of inflation because it's exposed to (almost) no risk. Cash in a savings account is exposed to minimal risk and (at least in the UK and NL) can see interest rates at about the same rate as inflation. The more risk the capital is exposed to, the greater the return.