Welcome back to The Wealth Effect. In today’s episode, we dig into a question that challenges the way most people think about wealth: What is the real value of your money? It’s not how much you have. It’s what that money can do. This episode is about purchasing power, the true measure of financial strength. From inflation to lifestyle creep, from salary illusions to global cost-of-living differences, we explore why your money today might be worth less than you think… and what you can do about it. You’ll learn: Why inflation erodes wealth—even in a growing bank account How to think in real dollars, not just nominal ones Why investments, not savings, are essential to preserve value How lifestyle inflation quietly traps the middle class What digital currencies and global mobility mean for your future If you want to protect your standard of living, your future retirement, and your financial freedom, this is the episode for you.