With inflation rates rising across the world, many are naturally looking to regain control of their funds. Affecting everyone from business owners to retirees, and even governments, inflation is the silent killer when it comes to deteriorating personal wealth. In this article, we explore what inflation is exactly, and how you can protect yourself from it. 

What is inflation?

Inflation is a term used to describe the gradual increase in the cost of goods and services in an economy, which results in the reduction of the purchasing power of your money. As goods and services rise in price, each unit of currency becomes able to buy less, thus reducing its purchasing power. Additionally to this, the rise in the cost of living tends to result in a deceleration in economic growth. 

Inflation can be felt far beyond just household goods like food. It is experienced across the board, from services like entertainment, labour, and healthcare to metals and fuel even in transportation and electricity. 

Two indexes used to measure inflation are the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). CPI examines a basket of household goods and compares the overall prices to the prices registered the year before. Inflation is noted when the same amount of money cannot buy the same amount of goods as previously recorded. 

The WPI measures and tracks the price of goods at the producer or wholesale level. This observes the increases in prices from the foundation up, looking at the raw materials instead of the final product.

Following the pandemic, inflation rates have increased around the world. In some cases, inflation rates are the highest they've been in 30 years, bad news for people's savings and salaries.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) recorded a 7.5% annual increase at the end of January 2022, the biggest increase to date since 1982. While, according to information available through the UK equivalent, the Office for National Statistics, a 12-month increase of 6.2% was observed in March 2022.

Inflation vs interest rates

Not to be confused with one another, inflation is the increase in the cost of living while interest rates determine how much money you can earn/pay as a lender/borrower. Inflation and interest rates typically rise and fall together, with an increase in one generally creating an increase in the other.

The different types of inflation

There are three main types of inflation which are categorised as demand-pull inflation, cost-push inflation, and built-in inflation. Below we outline the differences between the three.

Demand-pull inflation

Demand-pull inflation is when an increased supply of money leads to an increased demand for goods and services at a pace faster than the economy's production capacity. The increased demand and limited supply result in price rises. 

Cost-push inflation

Cost-push inflation is the result of increased costs of raw materials and production processes, leading to an increased price in the final product and other consumer prices. 

Built-in inflation

Built-in inflation is created by a wage-price spiral where consumer prices rise leading workers to demand higher wages which in turn increases consumer prices. 

How to manage funds and navigate inflation

Inflation is an inevitable part of life, however, there are still ways in which one can protect their funds from deteriorating in value. 

Invest in stocks

Stock markets provide much better returns than traditional interest-bearing savings accounts. While managing the stock market is a relatively complicated endeavour and requires more energy, stocks, and ETFs can earn up to 7% annual returns which would both increase your capital and beat inflation. Be sure to seek financial advise from a professional should you choose to go in this direction.

Invest in property

Property prices tend to increase in value over time. While they require a substantial payment of capital, these can pay off in the long run. 

Invest in commodities

Precious metals like gold and silver, as well as agricultural products and energy resources, offer potential opportunities for preserving wealth during economic uncertainties.

In conclusion

Managing inflation is integral to maintaining financial stability. Inflation is an inevitable part of the modern economy, however, there are ways to minimise its effects on your savings. Stocks, property, and commodities are all viable options to ensure your personal wealth is protected and continues growing. Be sure to seek financial advise specific to your financial situation should you be interested in any of these pursuits as they all carry a degree of risk.

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Discussing finances can feel awkward for many, often due to feelings of shame or fear for their financial privacy. Yet, it's vital to talk openly about saving. It's a key part of financial well-being, and it's time to break the silence on this topic. Let's dive into why saving is essential and explore some practical ways to kickstart your savings journey. It's all about creating a comfortable space for these important conversations.

The stats on talking about money

Discussing finances can be an uncomfortable subject for many people, as revealed by a recent survey. In fact, the survey found that over half of respondents, 56%, consider talking about money a taboo topic. Debt emerged as the most controversial financial topics, with 45% of those surveyed expressing discomfort discussing it.

The survey also highlighted that people are more likely to open up about their finances if others do the same. This means that breaking the taboo around money talk can have a positive impact on our financial well-being. By being more transparent about our saving methods, we can help others learn and achieve their own financial goals, and hopefully learn a thing or two ourselves.

Below are a few ways to get you started with how to save money more efficiently.

How to get started: start saving money

It's never too late to start your savings journey. Whether you're starting your first job, looking to make a down payment on a house, or you're already retired, setting aside money for savings is an important step in building your wealth. Here are a few simple ways to save money:

Establish your savings goals

Before you get started, first calculate how much money you need to determine what your financial goals are , and how much you will need to save each month to reach them. This will help you determine how much money you need to set aside each paycheck.

Create a budget

The first step is always the most difficult, but it's important to be honest with yourself about your current situation. Review your finances on a regular basis and consider how much you would like to save as well as what that savings goal entails. Build this savings plan to be realistic, making a savings plan you're never going to stick to is only a waste of your time.

If your monthly bills exceed your income, it might be time to make a budget. Look at what you spend on grocery shopping, auto insurance, energy costs or online shopping and see if your monthly budget has room for some cuts. While homeowners insurance and utility bills can't be neglected, consider if there are cheaper alternatives in your area for the things you can afford to cut on - you never know where you might be able to save some extra pounds.

In doing so you are already taking the first step toward your quest to save money.

See where you can cut spending and save money

Take a closer look at your spending habits. Where are you wasting money? Are you eating out too often? Do you have a lot of expensive subscriptions? Once you identify your problem areas, you can start making changes to better save money.

For example, if you're spending too much on eating out or buying lunch, try cooking at home more often. If you have a lot of subscriptions, see if there are any you can live without and consider canceling a subscription service. There are plenty of ways to save money and build wealth, get creative!

Set up a savings account

Next, you can open a savings account and make sure to deposit money into it regularly. This account should be a separate savings account from your checking account so that you're not tempted to spend the money.

You can opt for a saving account programme which allows you to put money in an account that generates extra cash for you, paid out monthly or yearly. The key in this process is to make sure the money is going into savings before you have a chance to spend it.

Also consider putting unexpected income in these accounts, like a tax refund.

Review and adjust

Finally, in your efforts to save money make sure to review your budget regularly and adjust your savings goals as necessary. By following these simple steps, you can start saving money and building your wealth today.

Don't forget to give yourself some breathing room. It's important to have money set aside in an emergency fund, but that doesn't mean you should never spend any of your savings. Indulge in some of your favourite things every once in a while and appreciate all that you've worked for!

Consider paying off credit card debt and building an emergency fund as equally important to building your savings account. If you're making use of passive income generation you could use these earned funds to pay off one of the two. Savings accounts might sound scary but the truth is they're simple, important, and integral to building a stable financial future.

Here are some of the best saving tips that we think everyone should know:

• Don't wait to start saving money. The more time you give yourself to spend it the greater the temptation will be. Transferring a fixed percentage of your income into savings accounts as soon as you receive it is an excellent way to make sure you're putting some money away as soon as you get paid.  
• If you're always frugal with your money, you'll only be frustrated and won't achieve your savings goals. From time to time, remember to give yourself a little treat!

Closing thoughts

Saving money is something that everyone has to do, and it can be made easier by doing it with others. No matter your situation, there are probably other people around you who know exactly how you feel and with whom you could share advice that could help you both save money more efficiently.

Open that savings account today and start building a better financial future. Whether you cut your monthly bills to make a down payment or save money for your emergency fund or dream vacation, putting money aside for your future is always a good idea.

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Aave is one of the leading decentralised finance (DeFi) protocols on the market, allowing users to easily borrow and lend over 20 different crypto assets. Leveraging the age-old financial practice of lending and borrowing, the platform empowers users to manage their assets in a decentralised manner.

The Aave token also allows users to vote on the platform’s direction and future Aave protocol developments. Aave token holders are granted voting rights based on their holdings.

What is Aave?

Created in response to the rising demand for decentralised money markets, Aave has successfully and firmly positioned itself in the top 10 biggest DeFi markets. Based on the Ethereum blockchain, the protocol allows users to lend and borrow a wide range of cryptocurrencies, from altcoins to stablecoins.

Native to the platform, the AAVE token acts as both a utility token, providing discounts for fees, and a governance token.

By placing digital assets into specific liquidity pools within the Aave protocol, lenders earn interest. Those who wish to take out a loan can use crypto as collateral to take out a flash loan from these same pools.

The decentralised lending protocol was launched in November 2018 under the name ETHLend (with LEND tokens) but later underwent a rebranding after losing traction in the 2018 crypto bear market. After revamping the concept of decentralised crypto lending, the Aave team relaunched the protocol under the name Aave. Aave means ghost in Finnish.

Who created Aave?

Aave was created by Stani Kulechov and a team of developers. Stani Kulechov was disappointed with the lack of lending applications available on Ethereum, so he and a team of developers took it upon themselves to create a space to lend and borrow cryptocurrencies. This project occurred before decentralised finance was even an idea, and launched following an ICO in November 2017.

Kulechov is a self-taught programmer who went to law school after high school and began programming in his teenage years. He is also an early blockchain adopter. The CEO announced that he intended to rebrand ETHLend as Aave in order to provide additional services beyond just ETH lending, incorporating the greater crypto assets market.

How does Aave work for Aave users?

The Aave protocol uses an algorithm that automatically enables loans from the platform's liquidity pools, instead of individually matching each lender to a borrower. On the Aave network, lenders can deposit their cryptocurrency into liquidity pools and in turn earn interest based on the amount deposited.

These interest rates are then paid to the lenders depending on the number of assets being used in the pool. For instance, if all the assets are being utilised, the interest rates are higher as this will provide greater incentive to lenders and more deposit options for Aave borrowers. If utilisation is low, the interest rates are lower, attracting more borrowers. Borrowers and lenders are mutually dependent.

Aave loans require users to make a deposit in the form of collateral that is higher in value than the amount they are borrowing. If borrowed assets are not returned within the given timeframe, lenders will take possession of the collateral.

Aave employs a liquidation procedure in the event that the collateral value falls below the collateralisation rate established and determined by the Aave protocol. Flash loans are also available, allowing borrowers to borrow money without putting up any assets as long as they pay for the interest fee known as one-block.

What are AAVE tokens?

AAVE is an ERC-20 token that acts as a backstop for the Aave protocol, protecting the system from having a shortage of capital. Known as the "Safety Module", AAVE is sold for assets to cover the deficit if there isn't enough cash in the DeFi protocol to cover lenders' money. Only AAVE deposited in the module will be liquidated. To encourage deposits, a regular yield is paid out in AAVE.

The second major application for Aave is protocol governance. Holders of the cryptocurrency can discuss and vote on Aave Improvement Proposals, which may be implemented if accepted by a specified number of AAVE token holders. This covers altering the money market parameters as well as managing funds in the ecosystem reserve, similar to other governance cryptocurrencies. Each AAVE equals one voting right for Aave holders.

The Aave system uses fees paid on the platform to buy back AAVE tokens and remove them from circulation. Approximately 80% of the fees paid are used for this burn purpose, while 20% are used to incentivise lenders. Aave has a limited supply of 16 million units.

How can I buy the AAVE token?

For those looking to enter the world of DeFi and incorporate Aave into their crypto portfolios, you will need to acquire the cryptocurrency through a crypto exchange. Ensure that the one you use is reputable and licenced, and that you do adequate research beforehand.

The Sandbox is a pioneer in the movement to incorporate blockchain technology into the gaming sector. Created in 2011, The Sandbox is an play-to-earn game that allows users to be both creators and players, with the ability to monetise their in-game assets and earn SAND tokens.

Powered by the SAND token, the Sandbox’s native token serves as the foundation for all transactions and interactions. SAND tokens can be obtained by playing games, selling digital assets on the Sandbox Marketplace, participating in competitions, or buying it through a reliable exchange. 

What is The Sandbox platform?

The Sandbox is an Ethereum-based play-to-earn gaming ecosystem and metaverse that allows players to create, share, and monetise in-world assets and gaming experiences. The platform combines the powers of decentralised autonomous organisations (DAO), DeFi and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

The Sandbox metaverse offers players a space to interact with one another and the games they have created.

The Sandbox is made up of three main components: 

1. VoxEdit, which allows users to create and animate 3D objects in the metaverse (i.e. animals, people, tools, etc). These are known as ASSETS and utilize the ERC-1155 token standard which allows both fungible and non-fungible (NFTs) to be minted at the same time. 
2. The Sandbox Game Maker, where users can create 3D games for free.
3. The Sandbox Marketplace, where users can sell their ASSETS for SAND tokens. 

Who created The Sandbox?

Initially developed as a mobile gaming platform by Pixowl in 2011, The Sandbox was intended to be a competitor to Minecraft. It quickly grew very popular and soon had more than 40 million downloads worldwide. However, in 2018, the co-founders Arthur Madrid and Sebastien Borget decided to explore the potential of creating a 3D metaverse on the blockchain.

The new and improved platform allows users to truly own their creations, in the form of NFTs, and earn rewards while participating in the ecosystem. The Sandbox team introduced the new Sandbox project in 2020 and it became one of the fastest-growing games in the cryptocurrency world, alongside Axie Infinity and Decentraland. 

The following year, the platform raised $93 million and attracted over 50 reputable partnerships, including CryptoKitties, Snoop Dogg and The Walking Dead. 

How does The Sandbox work?

The Sandbox is a dynamic virtual world filled with user-generated content. Players can create and develop their own NFTs, including avatars, virtual goods, and even games, using the platform's VoxEdit and Game Maker. They can also interact with other players as well as monetise these NFTs by selling them on the Sandbox Marketplace, fueled by the SAND token.

The Sandbox's VoxEdit

VoxEdit offers artists and players user-friendly software to create, rig, and animate NFTs. The NFTs are in voxel format, square 3D pixels that look like lego blocks, which can quickly be edited to create different shapes. Users can design and create everything from animals and game tools to avatar-oriented weapons and clothing to any goods that you can use in The Sandbox. 

All these virtual goods can then be exported and traded as NFTs on the Sandbox Marketplace for SAND tokens.

The Sandbox's Game Maker

The Game Maker is designed to allow users to test their 3D game creations within the metaverse. With no prior coding experience needed, the program allows users to design and organise various objects and elements in a space called LAND (including the VoxEdit NFTs).

The Game Maker allows users to curate quests, place buildings, and characters, edit terrains, etc. Users can then share their designs with the greater community or sell them on the Sandbox Marketplace.

The Sandbox Marketplace

The Sandbox ecosystem with its very own NFT marketplace was launched in April 2021 and creates a space where users can trade ASSETS (in-game assets) with the native token, the SAND token.

The ASSETS (NFTs) can be anything from wearables to buildings to entities, and can then be used within the platform in The Sandbox game and incorporated into LAND to create unique games using the Game Maker. The Sandbox's marketplace is accessible to all users on the platform.

What are SAND tokens?

Sandbox, referred to as SAND, is an ERC-20 token with a supply of 3 billion. The token functions as a utility token, governance token, and can be used for staking.

SAND as a utility token facilitates all interactions and transactions within The Sandbox ecosystem. In order to take part in the activities available on the platform, from playing the games to buying LAND, trading ASSETS or customising avatars, users will need to own SAND. The LAND tokens are ERC-721 tokens while ASSETS are user-generated NFTs.

The native token also functions as a governance token within the Sandbox ecosystem, allowing SAND token holders to vote on changes made on the platform through the Sandbox DAO (Decentralised Autonomous Organisation) structure. 

Lastly, the token can be staked on the platform, allowing holders to earn rewards and a share in the revenue from all SAND transactions. Staking offers the bonus advantage of allowing users to increase their chances of finding valuable game resources designed to boost ASSETS' rarity, known as GEMs and CATALYSTs. These are valuable when looking to create assets and play games.

There are two ways to acquire SAND: either through playing games and contests in The Sandbox, or by purchasing it on a cryptocurrency exchange.

If you know anything about the NFT craze in the cryptosphere, you’ve likely heard of the wildly successful Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). Expanding on this concept is the ApeCoin ecosystem, a cryptocurrency positioning itself at the forefront of Web3. ApeCoin is controlled by the ApeCoin DAO, a decentralised autonomous organisation of which all APE holders can become a part.

What is the ApeCoin ecosystem?

ApeCoin is an ERC-20 utility and governance token used within the APE ecosystem. The founding roots of ApeCoin lie in the NFT series Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), a creation by Web3 company Yuga Labs. 

Enjoying viral success and arguably one of the most successful NFT collections to date, the 10,000 unique BAYC cartoon drawings earned cult status when their prices soared and big celebrities started buying them. To date, the most expensive BAYC NFT sold for a staggering $3.4 million.

ApeCoin, the fungible token, and a number of products and services make up the ApeCoin ecosystem. The coin is governed by the ApeCoin DAO, of which all token holders are eligible to become members. The ApeCoin DAO makes decisions on matters such as governance rules, partnerships, projects, Ecosystem Fund allocations, and more. The Ecosystem Fund supports community-driven initiatives and was allocated 62% of the ApeCoin supply when launched. 

In April 2022, Yuga Labs started minting virtual land in their Otherside metaverse, using ApeCoin for payment. ApeCoin is used to facilitate all transactions taking place in this virtual world.

Who created ApeCoin?

ApeCoin was created by Yuga Labs, inspired by the Bored Ape Yacht Club project. Supported by the Ape Foundation, ApeCoin is governed by the ApeCoin DAO which creates a framework for permissionless governance processes. These decentralised authoritative frameworks are designed to create a fair and inclusive ecosystem in which the coin can flourish. 

Within the Ape Foundation is an administrative council known as the "Board" which is responsible for implementing the decisions made by the ApeCoin DAO members. This Board is voted in by the ApeCoin DAO members on an annual basis and is not controlled by Yuga Labs. 

How does ApeCoin work?

ApeCoin grants holders access to exclusive games and services within the Ape Ecosystem and can be used for transaction purposes on the Otherside metaverse. It also acts as a tool in which third-party developers can tap into the Ape Ecosystem by incorporating APE into their own projects, games, and services. 

Animoca Brands, for instance, created a play-to-earn (P2E) game called Benji Bananas that utilises ApeCoin, incentivising and rewarding players with APE. 

From a governance perspective, holders of APE can become members of the ApeCoin DAO which vote on decisions impacting the ecosystem's functioning and growth. This might include anything from which partnerships the ecosystem should pursue to how funds are allocated. These decisions are then implemented by the ApeCoin Foundation, the 5-member Board acting as the DAO's legal representative. 

What are APE tokens?

ApeCoin (APE) is an ERC-20 token compatible with the Ethereum blockchain and any supported wallet. The coin was launched in March 2022, with all 1 billion tokens minted at once. When minted, 62% of the coins were allocated to the Ecosystem Fund which are then allocated to community-based projects based on Ape DAO decisions. 30.25% were released into circulation for the community to engage with. 

How can I buy the APE token?

If you’d like to become an ApeCoin holder or incorporate APE into your portfolio you can acquire these tokens through a crypto currency exchange. Ensure you do adequate research prior to engaging with these assets, both about the coins as well as about the exchange you choose to use.

Axie Infinity is a blockchain-based trading and battling game that allows users to breed, raise, battle and trade Axie creatures. Inspired by the likes of Pokémon and Tamagotchi, Axie Infinity incorporates blockchain technology and the highly popular NFTs (non-fungible token) into their new-age video game.

Through combining advanced tech with video game functionality, the Axie Infinity platform has proven to be at the cutting edge of the gaming revolution, for players and investors alike. Discover more about this decentralised asset in the article below.

What is Axie Infinity (AXS)?

Built on the Ethereum blockchain platform, Axie Infinity is a video game that uses NFTs to represent unique creatures, abilities, land plots and other in-game assets. Through the game, users can earn Axie Infinity Shards (AXS) and Smooth Love Potions (SLP, formerly Small Love Potions).

Proving to be one of the most successful blockchain-based games in the industry, Axie Infinity has built a wide following indicated by its impressive USD market capitalization, price gains and on-chain trading volume.

Each Axie is created unique, with varying attributes that players can choose from. With over 500 body parts available across creature categories like beast, bird, plant, bug, aquatic and reptile, these also fall into rarity scales including common, rare, ultra-rare and legendary. With such a range of options, Axies have become rare commodities within the game and are based on ERC token standards. 

Who created Axie Infinity?

Axie Infinity was officially founded in 2018 by Trung Nguyen, an accomplished entrepreneur, engineer and CEO of Sky Mavis, alongside Aleksander Larsen, an accomplished business developer and COO of Sky Mavis. Sky Mavis is a technology-focused gaming studio based in Vietnam. Another notable name contributing to the development and success of the decentralised gaming tech is Viet Anh Ho, CTO of Sky Mavis and accomplished engineer. 

The company has attracted the attention of notable investors, including Blocktower Capital and Mark Cuban, and has gone through several successful rounds of funding. In the project's final round of funding on the Binance exchange Launchpad, it managed to raise an impressive $2.97 million. 

How does Axie Infinity work?

In Axie Infinity, players battle their Axies, each based on an ERC-721 non-fungible token (a unique form of digital currency that centres around ownership). Monitoring stats across Health, Morale, Skill, and Speed categories, the Axies play against one another in order to determine the strongest of the lot. 

Axies come in various classes, notably the Aquatic, Beast, Bird, Bug, Plant, or Reptile class or one of the secret classes, Dawn, Dusk, or Mech. Each Axie also has six body parts: back, ears, eyes, horns, mouth, and tail, each category coming with a range of options. 

These unique creatures can then earn SLP for participating in the PVP Arena, Adventure Mode, or quests, and can be bred to create even more unique creatures. The maximum amount of times one Axie can be bred is 7, costing the breeders 4 AXS plus SLP (which varies from 150 SLP for the first round of breeding, reaching 3,150 SLP on the seventh and final round). 

These characteristics and classes all play a role in determining how it will fair in gameplay. At its core, Axie Infinity is a video game based on battles and breeding, however, there is another valuable component to the game: land. Players can purchase and trade homes for Axies, called Lunacias, which are essentially plots of land in the Axie Infinity world. 

There is also the Axie Infinity Marketplace where players can buy and sell Axies.

What are Axie Infinity Shards (AXS)?

AXS are non-fungible tokens based on the ERC-721 Ethereum-based token standard. While used in the game for payments, these tokens also serve as governance tokens, allowing holders to have a say in the development of the project. These digital currencies can also be traded on external exchanges.

On the other hand, SLP is the in-game token used to breed Axies. With increased growth in the community, these tokens have gained investor interest outside of the gaming community.

Can I earn from playing Axie Infinity?

The Axie Infinity game is at the forefront of the latest play-to-earn video game economy. Through the game, players are able to earn money through three avenues: selling SLP (smooth love potions), breeding rare Axies, and AXS staking.

Selling SLP

Players can earn SLP in the game by fighting other players in Arena Mode, battling monsters in Adventure Mode and completing a variety of daily missions and quests. These NFTs can then be sold on outside marketplaces.

Breeding rare Axies

As mentioned earlier, the breeding process can be lucrative as more rare combinations are created. Axies can then be sold in the Axie Infinity Marketplace, usually fetching around $200. In late 2020, an Axie by the name of Angle sold for $120,000.

AXS staking

Coming soon, users will be able to stake AXS in interest-bearing smart contracts.