I’m not sure I buy 7% either, but I do think the real inflation rate is higher than the CPI. Part of the reason I think this is that they have adjusted the way they calculate CPI, which brings out the cynic in me. Some things (like healthcare and the cost of higher education) have increased dramatically. Other things have not. I do remember when I could go out to lunch for $5, including the tip, at reasonably nice places. OK, that dates me… LOL

As far as Bitcoin — I am not sure. I am not a HODLer, I am an investor. But it’s such a new investment… so I’m still feeling it out. I’ll probably make mistakes, but that’s how you learn, right?

I will probably try to sell Bitcoin when I think this cycle has peaked and reinvest in Ethereum or other altcoins since I think they may tend to peak later. Then cash out some of my gains and use to pay down my mortgage. Right now, the only debt I have is the mortgage, and I hate being in debt. I know, that’s un-American… LOL

I’m not advising anyone else to do this, BTW. There are lots of calculations that show that paying off your mortgage is a crap decision from an investment POV. But that is what I would like to do if I actually make money with crypto. Which is not certain. It’s a very volatile space.