Investing in Inflation-Proof Assets
What should you buy in advance of inflation?
With food prices, there are a few simple strategies to prepare for inflation. I believe it is prudent to begin preparing now and purchasing items before you require them. This is what I’ve been concentrating on recently. In its most basic form, a stockpile is just that.
Assume the price of toilet paper increases by 15% this year. That means the $10 toilet paper package you buy every month will soon be $11.50. That’s an extra $18 each year merely to buy the same toilet paper you were buying before. If you multiply that scenario by a number of things increasing in price, you’ll see a significant influence on your budget.
What if there isn’t any inflation? You’ll still be prepared and won’t have to purchase some of these products for a while. Because costs aren’t going down, you won’t lose anything. They may or may not increase at the greater rates predicted by some. If the hyperinflation predictions come true, you will have saved money for your family by purchasing items ahead of time while we wait for inflation to return to more normal levels.
“Buy one now, and two later,” as the old adage goes. Never let yourself get to the end of your food supplies.
Always be on the lookout and purchasing ahead of time. When you come across a good offer, buy as much as you can, especially non-perishables.
Personally, we are relocating funds from other sections of our budget in order to focus on purchasing some additional items right now. You should think about doing the same.
Are you trying to figure out what to buy before inflation? Here are a few essentials to stock up on before inflation kicks in.
Build a stockpile of non-perishable goods.
This is one of the most effective methods for anticipating inflation. Now is the time to stock up on items that will not expire or spoil. When I uncover good prices, I usually focus on establishing a food stockpile. Right now, I’m concentrating on accumulating a non-perishable food supply.
Build a stockpile of things you use regularly.
Expand your stockpile in the same way as before, focusing on the items your family utilizes on a regular basis. Don’t think about eating just yet. Concentrate on toiletries and other items that you use. Don’t buy goods you won’t utilize because it’s a waste of money. Consider stocking up on these items before inflation sets in.
Build a stockpile of foods your family eats.
The perishable products that your family consumes on a regular basis are the last section of your stockpile that you should concentrate on.
Purchase extras of the food items you use whenever you notice a good offer. If you have extra freezer space, concentrate on buying meat when you can get a good deal.
When it comes to canned goods and other packaged goods, buy only what you’ll use before they expire.
If you’re wondering what food to stockpile before inflation rises even further, consider the following:
Can you save a few dollars this week to purchase an extra roll of toilet paper? Or can you find some additional cash to buy a few extra diaper packages? Is it possible to buy four containers of dish soap instead of one? Keep in mind that anything you purchase now will assist you in planning for the future.
I just produced a printable PDF called “The Quick Start Guide to Building a Stockpile on a Budget” if you want to learn more about stockpiling. It’s jam-packed with useful hints, checklists, and more to help you create a stockpile even as inflation rises! More information can be found here.
In 2021, how can we protect ourselves from inflation?
If rising inflation persists, it will almost certainly lead to higher interest rates, therefore investors should think about how to effectively position their portfolios if this happens. Despite enormous budget deficits and cheap interest rates, the economy spent much of the 2010s without high sustained inflation.
If you expect inflation to continue, it may be a good time to borrow, as long as you can avoid being directly exposed to it. What is the explanation for this? You’re effectively repaying your loan with cheaper dollars in the future if you borrow at a fixed interest rate. It gets even better if you use certain types of debt to invest in assets like real estate that are anticipated to appreciate over time.
Here are some of the best inflation hedges you may use to reduce the impact of inflation.
TIPS
TIPS, or Treasury inflation-protected securities, are a good strategy to preserve your government bond investment if inflation is expected to accelerate. TIPS are U.S. government bonds that are indexed to inflation, which means that if inflation rises (or falls), so will the effective interest rate paid on them.
TIPS bonds are issued in maturities of 5, 10, and 30 years and pay interest every six months. They’re considered one of the safest investments in the world because they’re backed by the US federal government (just like other government debt).
Floating-rate bonds
Bonds typically have a fixed payment for the duration of the bond, making them vulnerable to inflation on the broad side. A floating rate bond, on the other hand, can help to reduce this effect by increasing the dividend in response to increases in interest rates induced by rising inflation.
ETFs or mutual funds, which often possess a diverse range of such bonds, are one way to purchase them. You’ll gain some diversity in addition to inflation protection, which means your portfolio may benefit from lower risk.
Is there going to be inflation in 2021?
For much of 2021, White House and Federal Reserve officials claimed that inflation would be “transitory,” meaning it would only affect areas of the economy that were heavily hit by the virus. However, as time went on, that projection did not match what was happening and how households were feeling the strain.
What investments do well in the face of inflation?
- In the past, tangible assets such as real estate and commodities were seen to be inflation hedges.
- Certain sector stocks, inflation-indexed bonds, and securitized debt are examples of specialty securities that can keep a portfolio’s buying power.
- Direct and indirect investments in inflation-sensitive investments are available in a variety of ways.
What industries benefit from inflation?
Inflationary times tend to favor five sectors, according to Hartford Funds strategist Sean Markowicz: utilities, real estate investment trusts, energy, consumer staples, and healthcare.
Shop Your Pantry
Make it a practice to examine the shelves of your cupboard before going grocery shopping. Canned goods, pasta, and other cupboard staples have a habit of disappearing into dark corners.
You can prevent buying multiples of the same item by taking inventory of what you already have at home. You might be able to cut your shopping list in half (and spend less). You’ll also decrease the likelihood of food spoiling before you remember to eat it.
Instead of going out and buying pricey goods, consider a pantry challenge to use up what you already have at home. Don’t limit yourself to pantry products for your challenge. Before you go out and buy more of the same, check what you have in the freezer and what toiletries you already have.
Do Meal Prep
You’ll be less likely to waste money on something that looks wonderful at the supermarket but you never get around to eating if you plan out your meals and make grocery lists based on a meal plan.
This expert meal prep advice easily explains how to get started with meal planning ahead of time.
Minimize Food Waste
When you spend a higher price for food, the last thing you want to do is squander it. It’s the equivalent of squandering your hard-earned wealth.
You’ll never have to throw out rotten cheese or stale bread again if you follow these recommendations for reducing food waste.
Choose Store Brands Over Name Brands
Name-brand groceries are already more expensive than store-brand alternatives. And in many cases, it’s difficult to determine the difference between the two.
Switch to generic brands to save money on groceries as prices rise. Perhaps you’ll find a new favorite.
Buy in Bulk
While buying in bulk will cost you more money up front, it is a wise decision. You’ll usually pay less per item.
You could always split your shopping haul with a friend or family member if you don’t need a three-box bundle of cereal or ten pounds of macaroni noodles. Alternatively, you may use this as an excuse to go grocery shopping less frequently throughout the month.
Cut Back on Meat
Because beef, pork, and chicken are among of the more costly commodities in the shop inflation or not cutting back on meat will have a major impact on your grocery spend.
Going vegetarian for a day or two a week and substituting cheaper options like as beans and lentils can help you save money.
Save Money on Produce
Even while costs are rising, there are still methods to save money on fruits and vegetables – even if you don’t grow them yourself.
Purchasing vegetables from local farmers, sticking to what’s in season, and opting for frozen over fresh are just a few ways to save money on food.
Buy Reusable Instead of Disposable
Which is better: buying something for $5 that you only use once and then trash away, or buying something similar for $10 that you can use multiple times?
Reusable products are more expensive up front than disposable products, but they usually end up being a better deal because they last much longer. It’s a benefit that it’s better for the environment.
These nine comparisons demonstrate how purchasing reusable items rather than disposable items can help you save money.
Be Smart About Filling Up
The cost of gasoline continues to rise, not just owing to inflation but also as a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. You still have somewhere to go, which means petrol is a need.
Carpooling to work can help you save money. Signing up for gasoline reward programs or using fuel comparison apps to locate the best gas prices can both help you save money. Additional tips on how to save money on gas can be found in this post on how to save money on gas even as prices climb.
Share Tools and Equipment
Sharing the expense of something you’ll only use once in a while is a better value than paying full price for something that will sit unused the most of the time.
Consider giving expensive tools and equipment, such as a stand mixer or a leaf blower, to a neighbor, a friend, or a family member who lives close.
Learn to Barter
Instead of paying full price for goods and services, you can resist price inflation by bartering with a friend or family member.
Perhaps a buddy has leftover lumber from a home improvement project that you can use in exchange for free graphic design work for their small business. Perhaps you could dog sit for a family member in exchange for a couple free meals while they’re out of town.
Get Free Things from a Buy-Nothing Group
Getting free things from a local Buy Nothing Group allows you to avoid paying expensive retail pricing and you don’t have to give up anything in return. Rather than trading or bartering, these organizations rely on donations.
How do you safeguard against inflation?
If you use at least one of these investment strategies, you will be able to offset the impact of inflation. If you stick to the first two, you’ll be fine as inflation starts to rise. Follow three, and let your imagination run wild!
Buy Physical Gold and Silver
You may totally protect yourself against inflation by investing your dollars in tangible assets such as gold or silver. The price of these precious metals tends to rise as the value of the dollar decreases.
Furthermore, silver differs from gold in that it is in limited supply and is employed by major corporations all over the world. Silver is still used where gold is hoarded, and its value will only rise as the silver supply decreases over time. Having a mix of each of these precious metals on hand is an excellent method to guard against growing inflation. To avoid being duped, make sure you have the metals on hand and buy them from a reputable merchant.
Invest In Other Currency
If the value of the US dollar falls, the value of other currencies rises (at least relatively). The Euro is 1.5 times the worth of the dollar, according to my calculations, but don’t take my word for it. If you choose to invest in other currencies, make sure you understand what you’re doing because it may be incredibly risky if you don’t.
However, if you play the market correctly, you can still come out on top by diversifying your currency holdings in your investing portfolio. Again, make sure you have physical currency on hand, as market-based “derivatives” of paper currency can be manipulated, putting you at greater danger than if you had it physically.
Invest in Positive Cashflow Producing Real Estate
If you’re going to put your money into real estate outside of your own home, make sure the properties you buy will generate a positive cash flow on a regular basis. If you’re not sure what that implies, make sure that the renter’s monthly rent covers all of the property’s maintenance costs. Also, save some money aside for yourself because this is a form of passive income.
The beauty of owning cash flow real estate is that you not only make money on a monthly basis, but you also have the potential for asset appreciation. You also get to generate phantom income by deducting the depreciation of the property’s structure over time. Whatever you do, avoid investing in a property that will generate a negative cash flow from day one…this property will eat you alive, even if its value rises. I would strongly encourage you to seek expert guidance from your advisers and mentors before investing in real estate.
Start a Business
You begin to construct an asset by beginning a business, which increases or decreases in value as inflation rises or falls. The rate of inflation has no direct impact on the value of your firm, but it does have an impact on the prices you may charge for the goods and services you give to the market.
You may mitigate the effects of inflation by managing your business cash flow each month and using the additional cash flow to invest in real estate and physical precious metals. Working, on the other hand, provides you very little, if any, influence over your earnings.
Find The Highest Interest Bearing Saving’s and Checking Accounts
Even if inflation becomes extremely high, we will all need to keep some cash on hand at all times. Keep your money in the highest-paying savings/checking accounts (here’s a list of the finest Online Savings Accounts) or treasury inflation-protection securities to put yourself in the best possible position (TIPS).
As inflation rises, these vehicles will be safer for your money than others that don’t earn interest or more speculative investments. No matter what the rate of inflation is, having cash on hand is essential. Just make sure you’re getting the best interest rate available, regardless of where you keep your money.
These are the best recommendations I can make to assist you weather any “inflation storm” that we are certain to face. If you have any other recommendations for readers, please leave them in the comments!
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.