Explainers

Short, clear answers to one question at a time.

Inflation and prices

How much is inflation costing your savings?

With US inflation at 3.7% and the average savings account paying 0.37%, $10,000 loses about $333 of buying power a year. Here is the math.

Updated October 16, 2026 · 1 min read

Inflation and prices

The rule of 72: how fast inflation cuts your money

Divide 72 by the inflation rate to see how many years it takes prices to double. At 3.7%, that is about 19.5 years. Here is how the rule works.

Updated October 16, 2026 · 1 min read

Inflation and prices

What is core inflation, and why does it matter?

Core inflation leaves out food and energy prices. In September 2026 US core inflation was 2.6%, well below the 3.7% headline rate, because of fuel.

Updated October 16, 2026 · 1 min read

Interest rates and bonds

Why do bond prices fall when interest rates rise?

An old bond's interest is fixed, so when new bonds pay more, its price must drop. A worked example shows why long bonds fall the most.

Updated October 15, 2026 · 2 min read