身边的经济学·社会常识英语30篇（2）

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通胀对固定收入者打击更大

If your monthly pension stays at $1,200 for five years, its buying power slowly shrinks.
Even modest 3% yearly inflation means prices double roughly every 24 years.
A loaf of bread costing $2.50 today may cost $3.00 next year—and your rent won’t drop.
Retirees, students on fixed scholarships, and some government workers feel this squeeze most.
Their incomes don’t rise automatically when grocery or medicine prices jump.
Meanwhile, people with wages tied to inflation often get small annual raises to catch up.
Real income—the amount you can actually buy—falls even if your paycheck stays the same.
That’s why many retirees cut back on meals out or skip routine health checks quietly.
It’s not laziness; it’s arithmetic wearing down daily choices over time.
Understanding this helps explain why price stability matters beyond headlines.