Face it, most Americans are just plain nice people. We are a considerate and generous population. America is also a wealthy country, blessed with natural resources, educated people, and an economic system that fosters opportunity.

In the aftermath of World War II, our economy boomed, our population mushroomed, and prosperity reigned supreme. Wealth was created and expanded as never before, and today Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) are in the early stages of passing along the resultant wealth. Various estimates of the magnitude of this “great transfer” surround $100 trillion (14 total zeroes).

However, for the first time in history, Americans are beginning to doubt prospects for their offspring to live as well as (or better than) they have done. Household debt is skyrocketing, incomes are not rising as fast as in past decades, and a heavy tax burden is contributing to Americans’ changing sense of well-being and optimism. Perhaps the most insidious danger to Americans’ futures is compounding inflationary price pressures, especially over the past four years.

Today’s younger generations are struggling with financial pressures exceeding their parents’ situations. Many resort to seeking assistance from their parents, regardless of parental ability to pay. As generous, kindly people, parents often provide free rent, co-sign student loans, and/or hand out cash supplements, even while the parents are striving to save sufficient wealth for a comfortable retirement that can easily reach or exceed 30 years.

Washington, D.C., where spending other peoples’ money for decades is the norm, has placed the US in an untenable financial position. Our National Debt recently passed the $36 trillion (12 zeroes) mark, and we are hurtling toward $37 trillion. Interest on the debt now exceeds $1 trillion annually, adding to inflation and higher interest rates.

Failure to address the problem in any significant manner is the hallmark of an elected government that is more concerned with re-election than with saving the country. Elected officials curry favor with their constituents as they overspend tax revenues. At the household level, when parents curry favor with their children, there is a strong likelihood that they will punish their own future comfort and security. In both cases, these actions can best be described as being “too nice.”

For a better understanding of inflation, I suggest you go to the website chapwoodindex.com. Ed Butowski created the index years ago and updates it semi-annually. It shows that, for the most part, actual inflation in major metro areas averages over 10% annually, regardless of who is in the Oval Office. Keeping up individually means trying not to be “too nice.”

Look out for number one to ensure financial success. Maybe it will rub off on government lawmakers. (I’m not holding my breath.)