💰FINANCIAL GAMES💰

Learn finance through play!

Purchasing Power of the US Dollar

See how inflation erodes the value of money over time

Purchasing Power Chart

$1.00$3.32$5.64$7.97$10.29VALUE IN 2025 DOLLARSYEAR$10.291960$7.911970$3.871980$2.371990$1.812000$1.422010$1.182020$1.002025PURCHASING POWER DECLINE (1960-2025)

Hover over data points to see values. The line shows the decline in purchasing power over time.

Dollar Value Timeline

1960
$$10.29
$10.29
in 2025 dollars
1970
$$7.91
$7.91
in 2025 dollars
1980
$$3.87
$3.87
in 2025 dollars
1990
$$2.37
$2.37
in 2025 dollars
2000
$$1.81
$1.81
in 2025 dollars
2010
$$1.42
$1.42
in 2025 dollars
2020
$$1.18
$1.18
in 2025 dollars
2025
$$1.00
$1.00
in 2025 dollars

Click on any year to see detailed information

Key Concepts

Inflation

The gradual increase in prices over time, which reduces the purchasing power of money.

Purchasing Power

The amount of goods and services that can be bought with a unit of currency.

Real Value

The value of money adjusted for inflation, showing what it's actually worth in today's dollars.

Time Value of Money

Money today is worth more than the same amount in the future due to inflation.

Visual Comparison

1960 Dollar

$1.00
= $10.29 in 2025

2025 Dollar

$1.00
= $0.10 in 1960

A dollar from 1960 has lost 90% of its purchasing power by 2025

Historical Context

1960s-1970s

High inflation period. Dollar lost significant value rapidly.

1980s-1990s

Inflation stabilized but dollar continued to lose value.

2000s-2010s

Lower inflation rates, but cumulative effect still significant.

2020s

Recent inflation spikes have accelerated dollar devaluation.

🎮 PURCHASING POWER ADVENTURE GAME

Navigate through purchasing power scenarios and make critical decisions! Learn about inflation's impact on purchasing power, the difference between nominal and real values, and how to protect your purchasing power over time.

MONEY:$1,000
Scenario 1 of 10

The $100 Grocery Trip

Last year, $100 bought you a full cart of groceries. This year, with 5% inflation, the same items cost $105. Your $100 now buys less - your purchasing power decreased.

Did your purchasing power decrease due to inflation?

Press Y for YES or N for NO