Inflation

Have you ever wondered about shiny coins. A long, long time ago, one shiny coin could buy a whole bag of colorful, sweet gumballs. Pop. Pop. Pop. So many gumballs. But today, that same shiny coin might only buy one little gumball. Just one. Where did all the other gumballs go. It is a funny little mystery, isn't it.

Hello. I am Inflation. It is nice to meet you. My job is to make the numbers on price tags slowly get a little bigger over time. I have been around for a very, very long time. Way back in a place called the Roman Empire, a long time ago in the 3rd century, the leaders started making coins with less shiny silver in them. Soon, people needed more and more coins to buy yummy things like a warm loaf of bread. One coin was not enough. They needed many coins. I was helping the numbers get bigger even then.

Today, I am still here. I am why your favorite toy or a scoop of yummy ice cream might cost a little more next year than it did this year. But do not worry. Your grown-ups are very smart. They watch me to make sure I do not grow too fast. I am not scary. I am here to help people understand how to save their money. I remind them to plan so they can buy all the things they need today, tomorrow, and for all the days to come.