Why Inflation Changes the Way You Should Think About a Loan
Why Inflation Changes the Way You Should Think About a Loan I'll admit it—I used to think comparing loans was simple. Find the lowest interest rate, check that the monthly payment fits the budget, and sign the paperwork. If the numbers looked good on the lender's website, I assumed I was making a smart financial decision. Then I learned about inflation. It completely changed the way I look at borrowing money. Here's something that's easy to overlook. When you borrow money for 10, 20, or even 30 years, you're making payments with future dollars , not today's dollars. Those future dollars almost certainly won't have the same purchasing power they do now. If you've ever complained that groceries, fuel, or your favorite takeaway cost far more than they did a few years ago, you've already experienced inflation firsthand. Think back to what a cup of coffee or a movie ticket cost ten years ago. Chances are, you'd struggle to find those prices today. M...