Quote from: Sayeds56 on August 04, 2023, 08:33:29 AM

Quote from: Poker Player on August 03, 2023, 03:45:14 AM

You left out a very important one: high energy prices, which affect everything. If gasoline and electricity prices go up, you not only pay more to fill up the tank and for the electricity in your house, you will also pay more for groceries, for example.
In fact, the inflation we have been experiencing for a couple of years now is mainly due to energy prices and massive post-covid printing. Then it was exacerbated by the Ukrainian war, but it started earlier.

Indeed, energy prices play vital role in influencing the fluctuation of inflation rate, and it is an important component of consumer price index (CPI). We have witnessed how sharp the prices of energy surged aftermath of Russia Ukraine war due to supply chain disruptions, which subsequently caused rapid increase in inflation. This situation serves as a good example that how fluctuations in energy prices can trigger sharp increase in inflation within short timeframe.

The issue with inflation measures is that they're highly inaccurate in presenting the broader picture. As you've already mentioned, energy, and I'll also add fuel prices, play a vital role in inflation. Higher electricity and fueling costs mean an increased cost of production, which means an increase in the price of goods, which the consumer is faced with paying. However, inflation measures don't take into account the increase in energy and fuel; thus, when we hear about 10% inflation, it's actually a lot higher. Personally, I'm having to pay a lot more money for fuel and energy bills than I used to.

Quote from: sunsilk on August 04, 2023, 04:13:36 PM

Quote from: ChiBitCTy on August 04, 2023, 12:27:03 AM

FINANCE TIP: Never keep your cash savings at a regular type bank accounts such as Chase/Wells Fargo/etc. Make sure you use online banks (or some credit unions) which offer much higher interest rates. Bannkrate.com does a good job of showing who's currently got the best rates. Just for example Chase banks and Bank of America (the worlds two largest banks)savings accounts have an annual interest rate of .01%. Ally Bank has an annual interest rate of 4%. One is keeping up with inflation and one isn't even close..ie you're losing money in it! INSANITY

I agree, there are online/digital banks that are offering better rates for an annual rate if you ever choose them to deposit your money. And the catch is that you're also free to withdraw it anytime at your own will.

Before, I was a fan of time deposits but I've learned it all along that it's good to get into it if the rate defeats the inflation rate that your country is experiencing. Otherwise, it's much better not to keep it there and find a better asset or investment that will earn more than the inflation rate so that you'll retain your wealth and its value.

All banks offer poor interest rates that can't compete with the increasing inflation, even at normal periods when it isn't spiking like it currently is. The only way to counter inflation is by investing in assets, such as stocks or bonds.