Why $100 today won't be $100 forever
Inflation silently erodes the purchasing power of cash. At a modest 3% per year, $100 today buys only about $74 worth of goods in 10 years and just $55 worth in 20.
This is why holding too much cash is risky long-term, and why salary negotiations should always include inflation context. A 2% raise during 5% inflation is actually a pay cut.