What is devaluation and how does it affect my finances? (2024)

When a country needs its currency to lose value, it will resort to various monetary policy strategies. Sometimes, this can have a direct influence on personal finance. Here we’ll tell you why and how devaluation happens and what consequences it brings.

When money used to be gold, silver or bronze coins, it was worth the value of the metal it was made of. But as those precious metals became scarce, money needed to be made from paper, copper, aluminium, tin and other cheaper materials. Because money no longer had the same worth as precious metals, it derived its value from the wealth of the country that issued it. In other words, a euro, dollar or peso is a certificate of ownership of some of the wealth stored in a central bank.

Because that wealth can be affected by economic behaviours and trends, countries can take mitigating measures related to the value of money. One such measure is devaluation. It means the value of one currency is reduced against another.

We mustn’t confuse it with depreciation, even though both mean one currency loses value against another. On the one hand, devaluation happens when a government makes monetary policy to reduce a currency’s value; on the other hand, depreciation happens as a result of supply and demand in a free foreign exchange market.

What is devaluation and how does it affect my finances? (2024)

FAQs

What is devaluation and how does it affect my finances? ›

Devaluation occurs when a country creates a downward adjustment of its currency value to balance trade. Devaluing a currency reduces the cost of a country's exports and makes imports less attractive. As exports increase and imports decrease, there is typically a better balance of payments as the trade deficit shrinks.

How does devaluation affect the people? ›

Currency devaluation may lower productivity, since imports of capital equipment and machinery may become too expensive. Devaluation also significantly reduces the overseas purchasing power of a nation's citizens.

What happens when money is devalued? ›

Devaluation can result in an increase in the prices of products and services over time. The increase in the price of imports causes consumers to purchase their goods from domestic industries. The amount of the price increases, however, is dependent on the competition of supply and aggregate demand.

What should I own during currency devaluation? ›

Investing in U.S. exporters, tangible assets (foreigners who buy U.S. real estate or commodities), and appreciating currencies or stock markets provide the basis for profiting from the falling U.S. dollar.

What is an example of devaluation? ›

Devaluation is when a country's government intentionally reduces the value of its currency. A nation can only take this action if it pegs its domestic currency to another currency, rather than letting market forces determine its value. For example, Panama pegs its currency (the balboa) to the US dollar.

Who benefits from devaluation? ›

By devaluing its currency, a country makes its money cheaper and boosts exports, rendering them more competitive in the global market. Conversely, foreign products become more expensive, so the demand for imports falls. Governments use devaluation to combat a trade imbalance and have exports exceed imports.

What triggers the devaluation stage? ›

The main reason that narcissist start devaluing process is because he can't see you as a 'good' person any longer. Triggers can be: Negative life events like illnesses, job loss, death, financial problems

What happens to your money if the dollar collapses? ›

Inflation would result if the dollar collapsed, decreasing the real value of the dollar when compared to other global currencies, which in effect would reduce the value of your 401(k).

What is narcissistic devaluation? ›

The “devaluation” phase is when the dynamics of the relationship start to shift dramatically, and the intense affection and positive attention give way to more negative behaviors. The narcissist will become critical, dismissive, and potentially even emotionally or verbally abusive towards their partner.

What happens to mortgage if currency is devalued? ›

What Happens To Your Mortgage Rates & Payments? If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, then your monthly payments will remain the same, which can be beneficial in a high-inflation environment. However, if you have an adjustable-rate mortgage, expect your payments to increase.

What to do before the dollar collapses? ›

Let's review a list of investments that could safeguard your wealth in an economic meltdown.
  1. Traditional Assets. ...
  2. Gold, Silver, and Other Precious Metals. ...
  3. Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies. ...
  4. Foreign Currencies. ...
  5. Foreign Stocks and Mutual Funds. ...
  6. Real Estate. ...
  7. Food, Water, and Other Supplies. ...
  8. Stability and Trust.
Dec 14, 2023

How close is the dollar to collapse? ›

This dominance as a reserve currency and its root as a currency peg means that the world economy is, in many ways, reliant on the dollar. As of the fourth quarter of 2022, 58.36% of all global reserves are held in US dollars. For this reason, the US dollar crashing by itself is close to impossible.

What is the best currency to hold value? ›

Based on our previous top 10 list of the most stable currencies, we'd like to share our view on the best ones to invest in.
  • European Euro. ...
  • Swiss Franc. ...
  • Japanese Yen. ...
  • Swedish Krona. ...
  • Norwegian Krone. ...
  • British Pound Sterling. Currency code – GBP. ...
  • Australian Dollar. Currency code – AUD. ...
  • Singapore Dollar. Currency code – SGD.

What are the disadvantages of devaluation? ›

Cons of currency devaluation

It can cause foreign imports to appear more expensive on domestic markets, and decrease purchasing power in foreign markets. This can encourage domestic consumption but that is not always possible if some goods simply are not available domestically.

Why is devaluation bad? ›

Currency devaluation may lower productivity, since imports of capital equipment and machinery may become too expensive. Devaluation also significantly reduces the overseas purchasing power of a nation's citizens.

What comes after devaluation? ›

It is how they ensnare their victims, manipulate them, and keep a constant state of confusion to continue to fuel their ego supply. The four phases are idealization, devaluation, discard and hoovering. There is no set amount of time that each phase lasts, it could be weeks or months.

What impact can social devaluation have on an individual's quality of life? ›

Such devaluation can have a negative consequences for the individual or group affected by it. Socially devalued parties have fewer opportunities and are recognized less for their accomplishments.

What is devaluing people? ›

Devaluation involves a shift in the person's perception of others, where they view someone they previously idealized or held in high regard as unworthy, flawed, or worthless.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 6104

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.