Keeping It REAL - by Bettsy Tyler

      The annual inflation rate in the United States is currently around 7.5 % —the highest it has been since 1982 . 1 It doesn’t matter if you ’ re a cashier, lawyer, plumber, or retiree; if you spend U.S. dollars, inflation impacts you.   Economists expect the effects of inflation, like a higher cost of goods, to continue. 2 Luckily, an investment in real estate can ease some of the financial strain.   Here’s what you need to know about inflation, how it impacts you, and how an investment in real estate can help .     WHAT IS INFLATION AND HOW DOES IT IMPACT ME?   Inflation is a decline in the value of money. When the rate of inflation rises , prices for goods and services go up . Therefore, a dollar buys you a little bit less with every passing day.   The consumer price index, or CPI, is a standard measure of inflation. Based on the latest CPI data, prices increased 7.5% from January 2021 to January 2022 . 1 A little bit of inflation is considered heal