Inflation reality check: Over the past 6 years, $1 has lost 22.5% of its purchasing power — now worth just 77.5 cents.

And that's using CPI, which many argue understates real-world inflation for most households.

This is why sitting in cash feels "safe" but quietly erodes wealth. It's also why long-term equity ownership has historically been the best hedge against currency debasement.

Money isn't static. It decays. Your investment strategy needs to account for that.