40 years later (in retirement), my time away at work from my family today, buys me almost nothing. If I put that in my savings account earning essentially zero % and the government prints money constantly with an average inflation of 5%, then in 10 years that shift gives me ~$350 of purchasing power (5% x 10 years x $700), and in another 30 years, it buys me almost nothing.

Take 30ish% out for taxes and now you have $~700. Let’s say I made $1000 working a shift in the ED. Sure we should all have altruistic motives and I’d love to say that I go to work for free just to help others, and to an extent that’s true! For example… That was time at work where I put my life, my wife’s, and my daughter’s on the line to help others. The problem I have is that much of my time at work has been devalued due to endless government money printing/inflation. It was our duty and part of the oath we took. From the beginning, when we knew so little about the virus and were afraid for our own lives and the safety of our families, we geared up with what little PPE we had and did our best. Putting my life on the line during Covid was the breaking pointīeing on the front lines in EM and CCM during COVID has been a rewarding yet frightening and sometimes awful experience. My time away from family and friends at work is being devalued through inflation.

Lots of money chasing scarce desirable assets = prices go up = harder to keep up = wealth inequality extremes. If you define it by things you truly need and want - a house, energy, food, stocks, land, college education, travel, healthcare, childcare - life is getting harder and waaay more expensive. Before Covid supply chain issues complicate the picture, if you personally define inflation by how much Netflix, flat-screen TVs, smartphones, clothing, and anything you buy on Amazon costs- life is great! Inflation is low because of technology being incredibly DEFLATIONARY (lower costs over time because of better technology - great book The Price of Tomorrow ).

Mo money mo problems year