Why Do Inflation and Interest Rates Feel Like Rivals?

Inflation is like a balloon that makes your money grow bigger, but interest rates are like a string that pulls it back. When inflation goes up, interest rates usually go up too, just like when you blow up a balloon and then tie the string tighter.

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. When inflation goes up, your parents might pay more for a new car, but they also have to pay more in their savings account.
  2. If you borrow money to buy a video game and inflation happens, the game becomes more expensive, so you end up paying more total.
  3. Your bank raises interest rates when prices keep going up because it wants people to save instead of spend.

Ask a question

See also

Discussion

Recent activity