The Divergence
We are living through a "trust divergence." Central banks say inflation is cooling. Your experience says the cost of existence is rising. When these two realities split, institutions lose authority.
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CPI vs. Reality
CPI measures a basket of goods. You don't buy a basket; you buy your life. Insurance, council rates, and debt service are often understated.
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The Social Contract
The implicit deal—"work hard, save money, retire"—is broken when savings yield less than real inflation.
Institutional Trust Index (Concept)
The trajectory of legacy authority.
The Erosion Calculator
See how "average" inflation silently destroys purchasing power over just 10 years.
Official CPI might be ~2-3%, but your real cost of living (insurance, rates, food) might be higher.
What Comes Next?
We are likely moving toward a bifurcated monetary system. Surviving this requires understanding the difference between "Currency" (medium of exchange) and "Money" (store of value).
Scenario A: Control
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC). Programmable money. Negative interest rates to force spending. High friction for exiting the system.
Scenario B: Hard Assets
A retreat to scarce assets. Gold, Bitcoin, Land, productive businesses. Value is stored outside the banking ledger.
Deep Dive Analysis
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Rebuilding Financial Trust: Bridging the Gap
Bridging the widening gap between banking institutions and the SME ecosystem. How to navigate the new landscape of credibility.
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