If inflation is 3% and savings earn 2%, what happens to the purchasing power of your money?

Gain insight into life, relationships, and financial prowess with our Life, Love, and Money (PFI 1305) Test 1. Engage with diverse questions to enhance your knowledge. Empower your understanding as you prepare for success in these fundamental areas of life.

Multiple Choice

If inflation is 3% and savings earn 2%, what happens to the purchasing power of your money?

Explanation:
Purchasing power is about how much you can buy with your money. Inflation at 3% means prices rise by 3% over the period. If your savings earn 2%, the money grows in nominal terms, but prices rise faster, so the real value of your money falls. Real return equals nominal return minus inflation, here 2% − 3% = −1%. So the purchasing power decreases and the real value of your savings declines. To keep up with prices, your return would need to be at least 3%; to grow purchasing power, it would need to exceed inflation.

Purchasing power is about how much you can buy with your money. Inflation at 3% means prices rise by 3% over the period. If your savings earn 2%, the money grows in nominal terms, but prices rise faster, so the real value of your money falls. Real return equals nominal return minus inflation, here 2% − 3% = −1%. So the purchasing power decreases and the real value of your savings declines. To keep up with prices, your return would need to be at least 3%; to grow purchasing power, it would need to exceed inflation.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy