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Economists use the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) to measure inflation. Essentially these indexes measure the change in prices of consumer goods. These metrics are really effective at making the economists sound very cool and confusing the general populace about what they mean. 

The latest update on these metrics just dropped and while inflation persists, it is actually significantly lower than expected. This data is from earlier in the year though, so it probably doesn't yet reflect the effects of tariff shocks.

Inflation erodes your money’s value over time, even when the economy is running smooth. So if you leave your sitting cash in a regular checking/savings account, it will be losing purchasing power against regular price rises, let alone large ones. 

So consider finding a low-risk way to protect and grow the value of your money.

I know the question that's been on your mind: what’s older than a high yield savings account and just as sexy (so not really that sexy).

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and Bonds: Basically a high yield savings account (HYSA) if it were in a midlife crisis.

A CD locks your money for a set period (could be 6 months or multiple years) in exchange for a fixed return on your cash.

CDs have become less attractive recently because HYSA's have gotten really good interest rates and (unlike CDs) you can withdraw your money whenever you want. That said, some CDs offer a rate higher than HYSA’s, you just need to weigh if you can afford to lock up your cash for however long the period is.

With bonds you're essentially loaning money to the government or a company, and they pay you back with interest.

Bonds are more flexible than CDs because they can be traded after they are bought—like stocks. They can be purchased through regular investment brokerages like Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard, or directly through a government website.

Parking your money in these places right now is secure, but not always the right move. What is often recommended for younger investors is to keep more money in stocks since you have the time to weather any economic downturns and can fully benefit from their long-term growth. 

However, as you approach retirement bonds often occupy more of an investor's portfolio to make their investments more stable and less subject to sudden economic changes.

A resource to learn more about government bonds is TreasuryDirect.gov.

This is the United States' website to learn about and purchase Treasury bonds.

What's nice about the site:

What's not so nice:

The site is useful for learning and worth the look through. But it definitely could be prettier. 

Also, quick reminder that I am not sponsored by any of the tools I note here. I wish I was! These are just the tools I use.

Before tossing your money into any savings or investment vehicle, take five minutes to figure out your risk tolerance.

Money is as emotional as it is logical. While investing in stocks may be better from a numbers point of view, sometimes fixed returns (that you can get from bonds and CD's) offer an emotional security that not even a giant avocado squish mellow could provide.

Knowing your risk profile helps you build a financial setup that won't make you panic every time the market sneezes (bless you market, bless you).

Do some soul searching or Google a "risk tolerance quiz." It’s free and helpful for figuring out what your finances should look like.

If you set up your finances correctly, they won't just make money for you, they'll actually make you feel better. Because who knows, maybe you didn't get the looks in the family ;).

Kidding, I know it was you.

Thank you so much for being a part of this newsletter. I am grateful to write to you weekly and I hope this helps you feel more confident with your finances.

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