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Creating Value Out of Inflation

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Submitted By jamcoco
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Inflation is something that is being mentioned during state of the nation address. Aside from being a number that mentioned and followed by applause from congressmen, what is its real value to us? Why does it happen? And who is responsible for inflation? The answer is within us. Our way of life dictates where inflation would go.

Inflation is a Reality that Everyone Must Accept
Time changes a lot of things in life. From our appearance, to our concept of rich and poor, and even to what is fact and fiction. As we live through our life we realize that most of the time, things are not the same as we used to remember. I would like to relate it to the PhP100 bill that we have today. When I was in college, this PhP100 goes a long way, it is enough for me to go to school, have lunch, a light snack and still have enough left for my piggy bank. Today the same PhP100 peso bill can only last me halfway. Why is that so? Let me introduce to you my not so close friend, inflation. Inflation is the nemesis of King Midas, because inflation does what King Midas is famous for but only in reverse. But is inflation really bad? Not necessarily so, because inflation happens because we make it happen. It happens because there is a need to balance things out. Too much money at hand will make spending soar, demand over commodities will increase and to prevent shortage of supplies, prices are increased. Is it for the better? In the short term, no, long term yes. Why in the world would we make our money lose its value is a question we may ask ourselves. No one in his right mind would do this unless he is a sadomasochist. I agree to this, but inflation, unlike sadomasochism, happens as we unconsciously promote it. Our actions lead us to spend more, more spending is equivalent to higher revenue to businesses, higher revenue will lead to higher profit, higher salaries and it also means more money changing hands. I think the next question is, why do we need to spend more? We spend more as we pursue a higher quality of life and quality is almost synonimous to the price we pay. Going back to my PhP100 bill example, in the old days, my spending can be broken down to two major categories; fare and food. But now I believe the PhP100 of a college student will be broken down to the following, fare, food and telecommunications. Having this additional segment take a share of the PhP100 pie means that more jobs and more jobs means more money and more money means more spending, it is a vicious cycle that goes round and round. And the effect of this cycle is that PhP100 that a student needs to last him a day 12 years ago should now be at PhP180. Should we resign to this idea? We should not, because we can do our fair share to diffuse the effect of inflation. We can do it by controlling our impulse to spend more and continue to save for our future. Why do you think the US is in financial trouble and Philippines is not? Because the US is a land of excess, when they were enjoying life as they know it, people there will buy anything for any price and usually on credit. This behavior overinflated their economy, which lead to a financial crisis that is already 4 years running. While in the Philippines people are traditionally conservative financially which means that people get the value that they pay for. A simple example to prove this is to compare pack of cigarettes in the Philippines vs. other countries. Being conservative in terms of spending, consumption, profit generation has its benefits too. It affords you to absorb inflation more as you have less to lose. Our way of life would dictate what the inflation is for our country, it is high time that we assess which are essential and which is not because if we lose track of it and pursue the life that is beyond our reach, then King Midas’s nemesis would gladly touch our lives.

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