THE ASSET RACE

Cash loses every decade. What wins?

We indexed six asset classes to $100 in 1985 and tracked their real (inflation-adjusted) buying power through today. The result isn't a recommendation — it's a starting point.

Real Buying Power (Start = 100)

Last 30 years, indexed to the first available observation in the window.

Show annotations

Bitcoin is off by default and begins in 2014-09. Savings data begins in 2009-05.

History shows the race. Aspire shows your gap.

At these assumptions, Aspire Rate estimates the money-growth rate that would keep pace with the life you're pricing. Calculate yours in under two minutes.

Calculate Aspire Rate →

Methodology and sources

Formula

(nominal_t / CPI_t) / (nominal_start / CPI_start) * 100

Each visible series is deflated by CPIAUCSL and re-indexed when the range changes. Dollar levels are intentionally omitted; the unit is real buying power.

Caveats

Cash assumes no interest.
Savings account series (FRED:SAVNRNJ merged with FRED:SNDR) is continuous from 2009-06. For windows that pre-date 2009, the savings line is greyed out.
Home price uses FRED:MSPUS — price only, not total return. There is no rent imputation, maintenance, or debt effect.
Bonds are intentionally not shown in v1; they are deferred pending methodology lock.
BTC data begins in 2014-09. It has 11 years of history versus 40+ for other assets. Past volatility does not imply future returns.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Source IDs

CPIAUCSL, SAVNRNJ, SNDR, MSPUS, ^SP500TR, WGC_Gold, BTC-USD.

Data Stamp

Data current as of loading.

Data: BLS via FRED (CPI, savings, home prices), Yahoo Finance (S&P 500 total return, Bitcoin), World Gold Council (gold), Robert Shiller / Yale (methodology). Past performance does not guarantee future results.

FAQ

Why isn't this a recommendation?

Because we're not licensed to give one — and because the right asset for you depends on your timeline, tax situation, risk tolerance, and goals. The chart shows what happened. What to do with it is a conversation for you and a fiduciary advisor.

Why index everything to 100?

Indexing makes the comparison honest. A 30-year stock chart and a 30-year cash chart look fine in absolute dollars — until you realize one preserved buying power and the other didn't. Indexing strips out the dollar size and shows the change in real terms.

What's missing from this chart?

Plenty. Real estate is shown price-only — no rent, no maintenance, no financing effects. Treasuries and corporate bonds aren't shown in this version. Taxes, fees, and individual circumstances aren't reflected. This is a starting point for thinking, not a portfolio.