What happens when the money supply grows too slowly or too quickly? From gold-standard deflation to QE-driven inflation and inequality, we trace the lessons of monetary history, and what we can do today to protect ourselves in an age of infinite money. Topics covered include: Show Notes Distribution of Household Wealth in the U.S. since 1989—The Federal Reserve M2 (M2SL)—FRED Good Versus Bad Deflation: Lesson from the Gold Standard Era by Michael D. Bordo, John … [Read more...]
475: Inflation’s Illusion: Debunking the Normalcy of Currency Debasement
It is not normal to want prices to rise and currencies to lose their purchasing power. We look at the advantages of stable currencies and prices. Topics covered include: Show Notes Is Japan finally becoming a "normal" economy?—The Financial Times Broken Money by Lyn Alden A Complete Guide to Understanding and Protecting Against Inflation—Money for the Rest of Us Episode Sponsors LinkedIn Jobs – Use this link to post your job for free on LinkedIn Jobs NetSuite … [Read more...]
316: Paper, Rocks, or Digits—What Makes the Best Money
What are the elements of a successful monetary system. Topics covered include: Show Notes The island of stone money : Uap of the Carolines by William Henry Furness The Gold Standard, Deflation, and Financial Crisis in the Great Depression: An International Comparison by Ben Bernanke and Harold James The history (and future) of inflation ... by Jim Reid, Craig Nicol, Nick Burns, and Sahil Mahtani—Deutsche Bank Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing by Jacob … [Read more...]
309: Investments to Fight Financial Repression
What are some investments that can generate a cash yield greater than inflation in an era when central bank policies keep government bond yields lower than the inflation rate. Topics covered include: How low are interest rates around the worldWhat have inflation rates been and what causes inflation and deflationWhat is financial impressionWhy are central banks keeping short-term interest rates so lowWhat determines interest ratesHow I-bonds workWhy active bond mutual funds can be … [Read more...]
235: What If Home Prices Always Declined
How to evaluate the purchase of a depreciating asset such as buying a house in Japan where prices have declined 23 out of the past 29 years. In this episode you’ll learn: There are no magical solutions to dealing with a housing bubble.Why Japanese home prices have declined for decades and why the houses are so cold in the winter.Why buy a house even if it will fall in price and how to go about doing so. Show Notes Designing Your Life: How To Build A Well-Lived, Joyful … [Read more...]
162: Is Inflation A Good Thing?
What causes inflation and why do central banks allow it to persist instead of having a 0% inflation target. In this episode you’ll learn: Show Notes Did Quantitative Easing Work? - Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Why Deflation Is Bad - The Economist Sponsors Audible Legal Zoom Summary Article Why Inflation Persists A listener to my podcast recently asked, “Why does the Federal Reserve have a 2% inflation target? Why is inflation good at … [Read more...]
MNY109 Plus: Portfolio Construction and Advisory Fees
This week on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we discuss how advisory fees can be a significant drag on performance returns. We also look at which asset classes do better during episodes of inflation and deflation. Finally, we review a new academic article by Cullen Roche on portfolio construction. The episode length is 24 minutes. … [Read more...]
51: Is Deflation Coming?
The world is flirting with deflation. How GDP growth, debt, population changes and exchange rates will determine whether a Great Depression like deflation is coming. In this episode, you'll learn: What is gross domestic product or GDP.What causes GDP to grow over time.What would cause a nation to reduce its output.How debt influences both GDP growth and the rate of inflation or deflation.How GDP is calculated.Which countries are deleveraging and which are increasing debt … [Read more...]
41 Plus: Investment Returns During Periods of Inflation and Deflation
In this week's Money For the Rest of Us Plus episode, I give a preview of current market conditions and share the historical performance of stocks and bonds during periods of inflation, deflation and price stability. The episode length is 17 minutes. … [Read more...]
2: What Causes Inflation and Deflation?
Inflation is caused when there is too much money flowing through the economy relative to the amount of goods and services being produced, leading to a jump in prices. Inflation is similar to how athletes experience unpleasant side effects when they run faster than their aerobic capacity. When too much money chases capacity-constrained goods, services, and workers, it leads to a rise in overall prices. Conversely, deflation, or an overall decline in prices, can occur when there is … [Read more...]
