The Penny's Dead—But Your Money Could Be Next

Remember when a penny meant something? Yeah, neither do most people. The U.S. Mint just pressed its last penny on November 12th, marking the end of a 200+ year run. And before you yawn—this isn’t just nostalgia. It’s a warning sign.

Here’s the brutal math: each penny costs 3.69 cents to produce. You’re literally losing money making money. But the real killer? Inflation. The same force that made the penny worthless is quietly doing the same thing to your wallet right now.

The Hidden Problem

Inflation hit 9.1% in 2022. That’s way above the Fed’s comfortable 2% target. When prices rise faster than your paycheck, you’re getting a pay cut whether you know it or not. Every dollar in your checking account is worth less than it was last year.

What You Can Actually Do About It

• Stop letting cash sit idle. High-yield savings accounts are running 4-5% now. Better than watching your money evaporate.
• Stocks historically return ~7% after inflation. Bonds, real estate, index funds—anything that outpaces inflation works.
• Lock in fixed costs now. Refinance that mortgage. Negotiate your bills. Prices are only going up.
• Boost your income. If wages aren’t catching inflation, that’s on you to fix. Raise, side hustle, new skills.

The penny’s gone. Inflation isn’t. The question isn’t whether prices will keep rising—they will. The question is whether your money will too.