Submitted by FreddyG on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 5:35am.
Rising prices doesn't exactly sound pleasant. The advantages of inflation, though, might be just what the doctor ordered. Rising prices is consistently a factor cited in "happiness" studies. The higher the rising prices rate, the less happy individuals might be. Moderate rising prices, however, could get the stagnant economic climate going.
Why rising prices might benefit
Inflation is a simple concept. The “real” value of money will go down while prices increase. Generally inflation makes things cost more. That is the effect. The amount of risk taken on by people is reduced with rising prices. Usually, the Fed controls inflation by raising interest rates, which makes it harder to take on risk. This action makes it more "expensive" to borrow cash, both short term installment loans and long term loans.
States benefit from inflation
You will find controls within the banking system the fed has. This includes the federal monetary policy. The way the Fed monetary policy is used, the banks are used for this effect. This is the way the economy will start to feel the inflation. With this centralized approach, several states have inflation rates that may be more or less than the federal rate. There is a higher inflation rate in NV. The federal average is below this. The national average is not recovering also as Nevada’s economic climate either. The debt in Nevada is worth less while the wages are rising to meet inflation in NV because of the inflation. Over time, individuals in states like Nevada have more cash to spend and less "real" debt to pay off.
The reason why most are against rising prices
Inflation is often considered a dirty word -- for logical reasons. Purchasing power goes down with rising prices. The decreasing value of cash also makes individuals more risk-adverse. Inflation can help the economy grow though from a fiscal standpoint. Debt becomes more manageable with inflation. You will find “quick fixes” from rising prices also. Financial problems can be fixed this way. Plus, when inflation is kept under control, "real" wages aren't reduced and the standard of living improves.
Citations
New Yorker
newyorker.com/talk/financial/2010/09/27/100927ta_talk_surowiecki
Amateur Asset Allocator
amateurassetallocator.com/2008/07/14/the-benefits-of-inflation/
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