Before anyone gets their knickers in a twist: no, the Fed isn’t running soccer matches. This is a metaphor. But it’s a helpful one if you’re trying to understand what’s really happening with your money.
Let’s start with soccer balls.
My personal favorites are Wilsons. (I haven’t been paid to say that—yet. Wilson, I’m listening.) They’re durable, reliable, hold air like champs, and play true. But if you swear by Adidas, Puma, Select, or some other brand, great—this still works.
Now imagine a soccer ball hierarchy.
Your go-to favorite is at the top. At the bottom? A ball made out of rolled-up newspaper tied with twine. Technically still a ball…. you can kick it… but it’s barely worth the effort.
⚽️ The Game Changes
You’re mid-match, giving it your all. Suddenly, the ball changes.
It looks similar, but the feel is off. A few minutes later, it changes again. Even worse.
You finally realize: the referee and linesmen are doing the switching. When you ask why, they say it’s to “stimulate play.”
But you also notice the good balls being carried off to another game. One you’re not invited to join.
Now your passes go astray. Your shots come up short. Same effort, worse results.
Frustrating? Absolutely.
💸 Enter: The Fed
This metaphor isn’t perfect, but it’s close enough.
The dollars in your pocket, bank account, or Venmo aren’t being physically swapped—but their value is being downgraded, constantly.
Compared to just a few years ago, your money buys less. That’s inflation.
And the biggest driver? The Fed puts more dollars into circulation. More supply = each dollar is worth less.
Meanwhile, those with more money? They’re not sitting on cash! They’re putting it into assets:
Homes. Stocks. Businesses. Collectibles. Land. Things that tend to rise in price when inflation kicks in.
🏠 Example: The House That Didn’t Really Grow
Let’s say you bought a house in 1980 for $50,000.
In 2025, that house might be worth around $340,000.
Did it become 7x more valuable? Not really. It’s mostly that the dollar became weaker. That price rise is inflation, not improvement.
That’s the bait and switch: the average person holds cash, while the wealthy hold assets. Cash erodes. Assets float.
So while you’re left with a downgraded soccer ball, someone else is playing a premium match with premium gear on a field you can’t get to.
🧠 So What Can You Do?
This post won’t solve everything. I’m not pretending to fix the entire financial system.
But if you’re going to play the game, you need to know the rules.
Now that you’re aware of the quiet switch happening beneath your feet, you can start thinking differently:
- Learn how money really works.
- Pay attention to value, not just price.
- Think in assets, not just cash.
Same effort. Smarter game.
Now’s the time to upgrade your knowledge, decisions and life!
Pete
Huryk Unlimited 