Because prices are expected to rise in the future, inflation might erode the value of your investments over time. This is particularly obvious when dealing with money. If you keep $10,000 beneath your mattress, it may not be enough to buy as much in 20 years. While you haven’t actually lost money, inflation has eroded your purchasing power, resulting in a lower net worth.
You can earn interest by keeping your money in the bank, which helps to offset the effects of inflation. Banks often pay higher interest rates when inflation is strong. However, your savings may not grow quickly enough to compensate for the inflation loss.
Do unanticipated inflation benefits savers?
Savers and creditors suffer from unanticipated inflation since the money they give out is repaid in cheaper currency over time. Borrowers and debtors benefit from unexpected inflation because they borrow money at a fixed rate and pay it back in cheaper dollars over time.
Why does inflation benefit savers?
- Inflation is defined as an increase in the price of goods and services that results in a decrease in the buying power of money.
- Depending on the conditions, inflation might benefit both borrowers and lenders.
- Prices can be directly affected by the money supply; prices may rise as the money supply rises, assuming no change in economic activity.
- Borrowers gain from inflation because they may repay lenders with money that is worth less than it was when they borrowed it.
- When prices rise as a result of inflation, demand for borrowing rises, resulting in higher interest rates, which benefit lenders.
Who profiteers from inflation?
Inflation will help people who are trying to pay off enormous debts. Inflation will impact people who have fixed wages and have cash savings. Inflation occurs when the value of money falls, causing money to be able to buy fewer items than it previously could. In the given link, you can learn about Inflation in the Economy: Types of Inflation, Inflation Remedies, and Inflation Effects.
- Monetary Policy – Goals, Monetary Policy Committee, and Monetary Policy Instruments
What impact does inflation have on a saver?
Most individuals are aware that inflation raises the cost of their food and depreciates the worth of their money. In reality, inflation impacts every aspect of the economy, and it can eat into your investment returns over time.
What is inflation?
Inflation is the gradual increase in the average cost of goods and services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which compiles data to construct the Consumer Price Index, measures it (CPI). The CPI measures the general rise in the price of consumer goods and services by tracking the cost of products such as fuel, food, clothing, and automobiles over time.
The cost of living, as measured by the CPI, increased by 7% in 2021.
1 This translates to a 7% year-over-year increase in prices. This means that a car that costs $20,000 in 2020 will cost $21,400 in 2021.
Inflation is heavily influenced by supply and demand. When demand for a good or service increases, and supply for that same good or service decreases, prices tend to rise. Many factors influence supply and demand on a national and worldwide level, including the cost of commodities and labor, income and goods taxes, and loan availability.
According to Rob Haworth, investment strategy director at U.S. Bank, “we’re currently seeing challenges in the supply chain of various items as a result of pandemic-related economic shutdowns.” This has led to imbalances and higher price levels. For example, due to a lack of microchips, the supply of new cars has decreased dramatically during the last year. As a result, demand for old cars is increasing. Both new and used car prices have risen as a result of these reasons.
Read a more in-depth study of the present economic environment’s impact on inflation from U.S. Bank investment strategists.
Indicators of rising inflation
There are three factors that can cause inflation, which is commonly referred to as reflation.
- Monetary policies of the Federal Reserve (Fed), including interest rates. The Fed has pledged to maintain interest rates low for the time being. This may encourage low-cost borrowing, resulting in increased economic activity and demand for goods and services.
- Oil prices, in particular, have been rising. Oil demand is intimately linked to economic activity because it is required for the production and transportation of goods. Oil prices have climbed in recent months, owing to increased economic activity and demand, as well as tighter supply. Future oil price rises are anticipated to be moderated as producer supply recovers to meet expanding demand.
- Reduced reliance on imported goods and services is known as regionalization. The pursuit of the lowest-cost manufacturer has been the driving force behind the outsourcing of manufacturing during the last decade. As companies return to the United States, the cost of manufacturing, including commodities and labor, is expected to rise, resulting in inflation.
Future results will be influenced by the economic recovery and rising inflation across asset classes. Investors should think about how it might affect their investment strategies, says Haworth.
How can inflation affect investments?
When inflation rises, assets with fixed, long-term cash flows perform poorly because the purchasing value of those future cash payments decreases over time. Commodities and assets with changeable cash flows, such as property rental income, on the other hand, tend to fare better as inflation rises.
Even if you put your money in a savings account with a low interest rate, inflation can eat away at your savings.
In theory, your earnings should stay up with inflation while you’re working. Inflation reduces your purchasing power when you’re living off your savings, such as in retirement. In order to ensure that you have enough assets to endure throughout your retirement years, you must consider inflation into your retirement funds.
Fixed income instruments, such as bonds, treasuries, and CDs, are typically purchased by investors who want a steady stream of income in the form of interest payments. However, because most fixed income assets have the same interest rate until maturity, the buying power of interest payments decreases as inflation rises. As a result, as inflation rises, bond prices tend to fall.
The fact that most bonds pay fixed interest, or coupon payments, is one explanation. Inflation reduces the present value of a bond’s future fixed cash payments by eroding the buying power of its future (fixed) coupon income. Accelerating inflation is considerably more damaging to longer-term bonds, due to the cumulative effect of decreasing buying power for future cash flows.
Riskier high yield bonds often produce greater earnings, and hence have a larger buffer than their investment grade equivalents when inflation rises, says Haworth.
Stocks have outperformed inflation over the previous 30 years, according to a study conducted by the US Bank Asset Management Group.
2 Revenues and earnings should, in theory, increase at the same rate as inflation. This means your stock’s price should rise in lockstep with consumer and producer goods prices.
In the past 30 years, when inflation has accelerated, U.S. stocks have tended to climb in price, though the association has not been very strong.
Larger corporations have a stronger association with inflation than mid-sized corporations, while mid-sized corporations have a stronger relationship with inflation than smaller corporations. When inflation rose, foreign stocks in developed nations tended to fall in value, while developing market stocks had an even larger negative link.
In somewhat rising inflation conditions, larger U.S. corporate equities may bring some benefit, says Haworth. However, in more robust inflation settings, they are not the most successful investment tool.
According to a study conducted by the US Bank Asset Management Group, real assets such as commodities and real estate have a positive link with inflation.
Commodities have shown to be a dependable approach to hedge against rising inflation in the past. Inflation is calculated by following the prices of goods and services that frequently contain commodities, as well as products that are closely tied to commodities. Oil and other energy-related commodities have a particularly strong link to inflation (see above). When inflation accelerates, industrial and precious metals prices tend to rise as well.
Commodities, on the other hand, have significant disadvantages, argues Haworth. They are more volatile than other asset types, provide no income, and have historically underperformed stocks and bonds over longer periods of time.
As it comes to real estate, when the price of products and services rises, property owners can typically increase rent payments, which can lead to increased profits and investor payouts.
Is inflation beneficial to real estate investors?
I admit that I’m old enough to recall the 1970s flares, discos, and collars.
But not just the modest 2 or 3 percent inflation of the previous year, but true double-digit inflation, the kind that saw the price of a Marathon go from 2 pence to 2 and a half pence overnight. Indeed, following the 1973 oil shock, when the price of oil tripled (are there any parallels here with our current economic woes?) For the rest of the decade, inflation stayed in double digits, peaking at 24 percent in 1975.
The Consumer Price Index is now rising at 3.3 percent (1.3 percent higher than the official objective of 2%), while the Retail Price Index (excluding mortgage interest payments) is rising at 4.4 percent (not far off 2 percent above its old 2.5 percent target).
However, most of us believe that these data understate the true situation. Majestic, the wine retailer, said that wine prices would have to climb by 10% to meet transportation expenses and the increasing euro, and that banana prices would rise by 8%.
The majority of this inflation comes from outside the country, in the form of increased gasoline and food prices. Twelve of the 55 countries surveyed by the Economist have double-digit inflation rates.
Inflation, according to most economists, is bad for economies. Consider what is happening in Zimbabwe, when buying a loaf of bread from the local market requires a barrow load of cash. Consumers and businesses find it difficult, if not impossible, to make economic decisions due to the lack of pricing stability.
Landlords, like all consumers, are affected by growing costs and prices. Landlords have been hit hard by enormous labor price inflation in recent years, as skill shortages have driven up the cost of hiring all trades, including plumbers, builders, and decorators.
Other expenses, such as accounting and buy-to-let insurance, are also rising.
The one huge benefit of inflation for landlords is that, because many landlords use a buy-to-let mortgage to fund an investment, their loan charges are the most expensive part of their rental company. Inflation, on the other hand, is excellent news for borrowers like landlords, and here’s why.
If a landlord takes out a 100,000 interest-only buy-to-let loan over 20 years in a zero-inflation country like Japan, that buy-to-let mortgage will still be worth 100,000 after 20 years. Consider the case when inflation is running at the Bank of England’s current target rate of 2%. This means that the buy-to-let loan’s true real value will have decreased to 67,297 after 20 years.
Consider a scenario in which inflation is twice the Bank of England’s target rate, with a long-term average of 4%. In this case, the loan’s real value drops to 45,639, which is less than half of its original value.
As a result of declining property values and rising buy-to-let loan costs, being a landlord may not seem like a great place to be. Inflation, on the other hand, may be just what landlords need to reduce the real value of their buy-to-let loans. There is a silver lining to every dismal sky, as the clich goes. In this scenario, inflation may very well be the culprit!
Who is the most affected by inflation?
Inflation is defined as a steady increase in the price level. Inflation means that money loses its purchasing power and can buy fewer products than before.
- Inflation will assist people with huge debts, making it simpler to repay their debts as prices rise.
Losers from inflation
Savers. Historically, savers have lost money due to inflation. When prices rise, money loses its worth, and savings lose their true value. People who had saved their entire lives, for example, could have the value of their savings wiped out during periods of hyperinflation since their savings became effectively useless at higher prices.
Inflation and Savings
This graph depicts a US Dollar’s purchasing power. The worth of a dollar decreases during periods of increased inflation, such as 1945-46 and the mid-1970s. Between 1940 and 1982, the value of one dollar plummeted by 85 percent, from 700 to 100.
- If a saver can earn an interest rate higher than the rate of inflation, they will be protected against inflation. If, for example, inflation is 5% and banks offer a 7% interest rate, those who save in a bank will nevertheless see a real increase in the value of their funds.
If we have both high inflation and low interest rates, savers are far more likely to lose money. In the aftermath of the 2008 credit crisis, for example, inflation soared to 5% (owing to cost-push reasons), while interest rates were slashed to 0.5 percent. As a result, savers lost money at this time.
Workers with fixed-wage contracts are another group that could be harmed by inflation. Assume that workers’ wages are frozen and that inflation is 5%. It means their salaries will buy 5% less at the end of the year than they did at the beginning.
CPI inflation was higher than nominal wage increases from 2008 to 2014, resulting in a real wage drop.
Despite the fact that inflation was modest (by UK historical norms), many workers saw their real pay decline.
- Workers in non-unionized jobs may be particularly harmed by inflation since they have less negotiating leverage to seek higher nominal salaries to keep up with growing inflation.
- Those who are close to poverty will be harmed the most during this era of negative real wages. Higher-income people will be able to absorb a drop in real wages. Even a small increase in pricing might make purchasing products and services more challenging. Food banks were used more frequently in the UK from 2009 to 2017.
- Inflation in the UK was over 20% in the 1970s, yet salaries climbed to keep up with growing inflation, thus workers continued to see real wage increases. In fact, in the 1970s, growing salaries were a source of inflation.
Inflationary pressures may prompt the government or central bank to raise interest rates. A higher borrowing rate will result as a result of this. As a result, homeowners with variable mortgage rates may notice considerable increases in their monthly payments.
The UK underwent an economic boom in the late 1980s, with high growth but close to 10% inflation; as a result of the overheating economy, the government hiked interest rates. This resulted in a sharp increase in mortgage rates, which was generally unanticipated. Many homeowners were unable to afford increasing mortgage payments and hence defaulted on their obligations.
Indirectly, rising inflation in the 1980s increased mortgage payments, causing many people to lose their homes.
- Higher inflation, on the other hand, does not always imply higher interest rates. There was cost-push inflation following the 2008 recession, but the Bank of England did not raise interest rates (they felt inflation would be temporary). As a result, mortgage holders witnessed lower variable rates and lower mortgage payments as a percentage of income.
Inflation that is both high and fluctuating generates anxiety for consumers, banks, and businesses. There is a reluctance to invest, which could result in poorer economic growth and fewer job opportunities. As a result, increased inflation is linked to a decline in economic prospects over time.
If UK inflation is higher than that of our competitors, UK goods would become less competitive, and exporters will see a drop in demand and find it difficult to sell their products.
Winners from inflation
Inflationary pressures might make it easier to repay outstanding debt. Businesses will be able to raise consumer prices and utilize the additional cash to pay off debts.
- However, if a bank borrowed money from a bank at a variable mortgage rate. If inflation rises and the bank raises interest rates, the cost of debt repayments will climb.
Inflation can make it easier for the government to pay off its debt in real terms (public debt as a percent of GDP)
This is especially true if inflation exceeds expectations. Because markets predicted low inflation in the 1960s, the government was able to sell government bonds at cheap interest rates. Inflation was higher than projected in the 1970s and higher than the yield on a government bond. As a result, bondholders experienced a decrease in the real value of their bonds, while the government saw a reduction in the real value of its debt.
In the 1970s, unexpected inflation (due to an oil price shock) aided in the reduction of government debt burdens in a number of countries, including the United States.
The nominal value of government debt increased between 1945 and 1991, although inflation and economic growth caused the national debt to shrink as a percentage of GDP.
Those with savings may notice a quick drop in the real worth of their savings during a period of hyperinflation. Those who own actual assets, on the other hand, are usually safe. Land, factories, and machines, for example, will keep their value.
During instances of hyperinflation, demand for assets such as gold and silver often increases. Because gold cannot be printed, it cannot be subjected to the same inflationary forces as paper money.
However, it is important to remember that purchasing gold during a period of inflation does not ensure an increase in real value. This is due to the fact that the price of gold is susceptible to speculative pressures. The price of gold, for example, peaked in 1980 and then plummeted.
Holding gold, on the other hand, is a method to secure genuine wealth in a way that money cannot.
Bank profit margins tend to expand during periods of negative real interest rates. Lending rates are greater than saving rates, with base rates near zero and very low savings rates.
Anecdotal evidence
Germany’s inflation rate reached astronomical levels between 1922 and 1924, making it a good illustration of high inflation.
Middle-class workers who had put a lifetime’s earnings into their pension fund discovered that it was useless in 1924. One middle-class clerk cashed his retirement fund and used money to buy a cup of coffee after working for 40 years.
Fear, uncertainty, and bewilderment arose as a result of the hyperinflation. People reacted by attempting to purchase anything physical such as buttons or cloth that might carry more worth than money.
However, not everyone was affected in the same way. Farmers fared handsomely as food prices continued to increase. Due to inflation, which reduced the real worth of debt, businesses that had borrowed huge sums realized that their debts had practically vanished. These companies could take over companies that had gone out of business due to inflationary costs.
Inflation this high can cause enormous resentment since it appears to be an unfair means to allocate wealth from savers to borrowers.
Is it possible to lose money in your savings account?
You’re well aware that you need to save money. At the same time, you might be wondering whether savings accounts are worthwhile. After all, the income you earn on these accounts is likely to be less than the interest you spend on your debts, including student loans.
True, putting your money in a savings account may not provide the best financial returns, but it has a place in your overall strategy. If you’re debating whether or not to open a savings account, here are some benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Benefits of a savings account
Savings accounts make it simple to put money aside for a variety of reasons. A savings account has numerous advantages, including the following:
- Simple to open: If you currently have a checking account with a bank or credit union, you can easily open a savings account. You may also quickly start a savings account online.
- Savings accounts are liquid because they deal in cash, so you don’t have to worry about selling investments or performing other complicated transactions to get your money.
- Money in a savings account is extremely accessible. To withdraw money, simply use your ATM card or go to the bank. You may also send money fast and easily on the internet or through a mobile app. Keep in mind that moving money from an online savings account to another account without access to an ATM network may take a few days to complete.
- Protected: One of the biggest advantages of a savings account is that your money is safe. Your money is protected from failures (up to the legal limit) if you put it in a bank with FDIC insurance or a credit union with NCUA insurance, so you don’t have to worry about a significant loss.
Remember that you may set up automated transfers to shift money from your checking account to your savings account quickly and simply. This is a great method to save money without even realizing it.
Disadvantages of a savings account
While there are numerous advantages to maintaining a savings account, there are also some drawbacks.
- Low interest: One of the major drawbacks of a savings account is the low rate of return on your money. Furthermore, the cost of relying on a savings account for long-term financial gain may be larger than you believe. Some would reply, “At least you’re not losing money when it’s in the bank.” Unfortunately, saving money in a savings account might result in a loss of funds if the interest rate does not keep pace with inflation. Credit unions, on the other hand, may provide better interest rates than regular banks, while money market and high-yield online savings accounts often offer even higher rates. For example, a traditional bank’s savings account might pay less than 1% annual percentage yield, whereas an internet account might pay 2%. Keep in mind, however, that these are variable rates that might vary fast and frequently. So, you might open an online savings account with a 2% APY, but six months later, that rate could be significantly lower due to factors such as the federal funds rate being decreased. Overall, you should choose a money market or high-yield account over a regular one if you want to earn the highest return on your deposits.
- Fees: Some financial institutions have minimum balance requirements for savings accounts, and if your balance falls below this amount, you may be charged a fee. Look for banks that don’t have minimum balance requirements so you don’t have to spend to keep your savings account open. Before you join up for any account, make sure you understand any and all costs that may be linked with it, as well as how to prevent them.
- Maximum of six withdrawals: Federal Regulation D requires certain forms of telephone and electronic withdrawals, including up to six transfers per statement cycle from savings accounts. Withdrawals made online or over the phone, rather than in person at a bank or an ATM, are included. If you go above this limit, you may be charged a fee by the bank or credit union, or your account may be canceled altogether. So keep track of your withdrawals to ensure you don’t go over your limit. This is especially important if you have an online-only account with no ATM network or physical locations.
- You may be missing out on alternative, higher-risk but higher-reward methods to make money if you keep too much money in your savings account, such as investing in the stock market. There are a variety of methods that can assist you in investing and achieving larger potential earnings. Stocks, on the other hand, have a far higher potential for serious loss in the event of a market slump. It will be significantly less dangerous to store money in a savings account if you want to keep money on hand for emergencies or if you know you’ll need the money in the near future. Other investments have less liquidity and a more difficult time getting your money back. When you need to sell a stock, for example, you can’t simply withdraw money from an ATM. You’ll also have to think about paying a capital gains tax or selling your shares for less than you paid for it.
So is a savings account worth it?
Savings accounts may appear to be unprofitable from a yield standpoint, especially if you’re repaying bills with higher interest rates, such as student loans.
The advantages of a savings account, on the other hand, are not dependent on your earnings. Instead, think about the purpose of your account, as well as your liquidity and access.
A savings account is perhaps the greatest option for your emergency money. After all, the whole point of having an emergency fund is to be able to access the funds fast when you need them. Some experts advocate keeping at least six months’ worth of living expenses in a savings account, but even a few thousand dollars can aid in an emergency.
A certificate of deposit (CD), which you may purchase from banks and credit unions and which may provide a slightly greater rate than a savings account, is another option. Early withdrawal fees are common with CDs, making them less liquid than a conventional bank account. However, certain banks offer no-penalty CDS, so this is an alternative worth considering.
While you shouldn’t put all of your savings in a low-yield cash account, savings accounts can be part of a larger financial strategy that includes investment and retirement accounts.
How can I keep my investments safe from UK inflation?
Inflation may have dropped in recent months, but savers still have a fight on their hands if they wish to avoid its corrosive effects.
We’ll look at how taking certain risks with your money can help you keep your money’s value above inflation.
Shift longer term savings into equities
You might have some money in a savings account. After all, it’s recommended that you save away roughly six months’ worth of earnings as an emergency fund. However, you may discover that you have more than you require. If that’s the case, think about putting some of it into investments that have a better chance of long-term growth.
Equities have historically been the most successful assets for fighting inflation over the long term but you must be comfortable with your investments rising and falling in value.
Choose your investments wisely
Other investments, if you know where to search, can produce returns that are higher than inflation. Bond funds, for example, could be included in a portfolio of investments because they invest in debt issued by governments and/or enterprises seeking to raise financing. Throughout their lives, bonds pay a defined rate of interest, known as the coupon, and should refund the original capital at maturity. To spread risk, bond funds invest in a variety of debt instruments.
A financial adviser can help you create a portfolio that takes advantage of all available investment opportunities.
Maximise tax efficiency
After you’ve figured out how to fight inflation, think about how tax-efficient your assets are. ISAs and pensions are both tax-advantaged vehicles for saving and investing for the long term.
ISAs allow you to save up to 20,000 a year in tax-free growth and income on investments, as well as tax-free withdrawals. Meanwhile, depending on your taxable income, pension payments may be eligible for income tax relief of up to 45 percent.
When you can afford it and while they’re still accessible, it’s a good idea to take advantage of hefty tax breaks over time. This way, you may take advantage of compound growth or earning returns on your returns to help you keep up with inflation.
Seek expert advice
A sound investment strategy should include a diverse portfolio of assets and the use of tax-advantaged investment vehicles.
We can put together a diversified portfolio that is geared to your long-term financial goals, risk tolerance, and inflation protection. Get in contact with us right now to learn more.
Do banks fare well when it comes to inflation?
Inflation is often viewed as a positive for banks, as it increases net interest revenue and profits. However, top bankers caution that if inflation rises too quickly, it might become a drag.
Inflation, according to Goldman Sachs Chief Operating Officer John Waldron, is the most serious threat to the world economy and stock markets.
Last month, JPMorgan Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon told analysts that rising inflation and high interest rates raise the potential of dramatic price fluctuations, and that banks “should be concerned.”
According to one senior banker at a European bank with significant U.S. operations, a sustained period of higher inflation would pose credit and market risk to banks, which they are examining in internal stress tests.
Another banker said risk teams are also keeping an eye on loan exposures in the sectors most hit by inflation. Companies from the consumer discretionary, industrial, and manufacturing sectors are among them.
“We’re quite engaged with those clients, giving hedging protections,” the banker added, declining to be identified because client conversations are private.
Clients who may want additional cash to get through a period of rising inflation are encouraged to raise capital while interest rates are still low, according to the banker.
“If you need money, it’s still a great atmosphere to be in, but it won’t stay forever.”
Higher inflation and monetary tightening are also being considered by investment bankers as potential disruptions to record deals and public offering pipelines.
“We expect higher inflation to persist, and monetary tightening might hinder the M&A market’s momentum,” said Paul Colone, managing partner of Alantra, a global mid-market investment bank based in the United States.
“Evaluate the risks sustained inflation could bring to both value and business results,” Colone said. Alantra advises clients in the early phases of M&A conversations to “review the risks sustained inflation may bring to both valuation and business results.”
Meanwhile, sales and trading teams are receiving increasing calls from clients trying to reposition portfolios that are at risk of losing value. When inflation became uncontrollable in the 1970s, stock indices in the United States took a beating.
Chris McReynolds, Barclays’ head of U.S. inflation trading, said, “We’re seeing greater interest from clients in obtaining some kind of inflation protection.”
Inflation in the Treasury Protected Securities, which are issued and backed by the US government, are becoming increasingly popular, according to him. The securities are comparable to Treasury bonds, but they are inflation-protected.
Traders are also seeing an increase in demand for derivatives that provide inflation protection, such as zero-coupon inflation swaps, which exchange a fixed rate payment on an investment for a payout based on the rate of inflation.
“People are recognizing that they are exposed to inflation and that it makes sense to hedge their assets and obligations,” McReynolds said.
Most observers believe that banks with varied businesses will benefit best during a prolonged period of inflation.
They forecast a steepening yield curve to boost overall profit margins, while trading businesses will gain from greater volatility and deal strength, and investment banking activity will stay solid due to IPO pipelines.
Dick Bove, a well-known independent banking analyst, has a different perspective. He expects the yield curve to flatten as interest rates rise, lowering inflation expectations and squeezing company margins.
“Bank stock prices may soar for as long as 12 to 18 months,” he said. “However, if inflation continues to climb, bank stock multiples will fall, and bank stock prices will follow.”
Where should I place my money to account for inflation?
“While cash isn’t a growth asset, it will typically stay up with inflation in nominal terms if inflation is accompanied by rising short-term interest rates,” she continues.
CFP and founder of Dare to Dream Financial Planning Anna N’Jie-Konte agrees. With the epidemic demonstrating how volatile the economy can be, N’Jie-Konte advises maintaining some money in a high-yield savings account, money market account, or CD at all times.
“Having too much wealth is an underappreciated risk to one’s financial well-being,” she adds. N’Jie-Konte advises single-income households to lay up six to nine months of cash, and two-income households to set aside six months of cash.
Lassus recommends that you keep your short-term CDs until we have a better idea of what longer-term inflation might look like.