The Hyperinflation Risk & Inflationary Storm Crisis

Abstract

This chapter looks at the warning signs and impact of rampant inflation. In recent years, inflation has held relatively low and steady, but this has not always been the case. In the1940s and the 1970s, people would often spend money quickly, anticipating sudden price jumps due to the rapidly declining value of the US dollar. In fact, for a time the inflation rate was around 7%. There are many who feel that the US inflation figures released to the public are being purposefully understated. The COVID crisis is exacerbating the chance of hyperinflation because it is causing government debt to spike, and the Fed is printing extra money to try to minimize the economic fallout due to quantitative easing. More money printed often results in higher inflation. So far, the inflation numbers have been spiking.