The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money

Ever wonder why holding cash feels safer than investing?

Image: Unknown, dedicated to Bettmann Archive, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money

Ever wonder why holding cash feels safer than investing?

Imagine you're planning a big party and need to decide whether to buy decorations now or save your money for a better deal later. You're also considering whether to keep some cash on hand for emergencies.

You prefer to have cash ready for unexpected costs or opportunities, even if it means missing out on possibly cheaper decorations later. This preference for liquidity, or the desire to have cash readily available, guides your spending and saving decisions.

Example

You decide to buy decorations for 100 now, instead of waiting for a sale that might offer a 10 discount, because you value having $110 in cash for any sudden expenses.

Remember this

Liquidity preference explains why people value holding cash over investing, prioritizing immediate access to funds over potential future gains.

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Educational content, not financial advice.

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