Inflation is often called a silent thief because it quietly erodes your purchasing power over time. Even if your retirement account balance looks stable, it buys you less than it did a few years ago as the cost of living rises. Because this devaluation hits dollar-denominated assets hardest, many investors look for ways to preserve the long-term value of their savings. It’s why so many are exploring gold, which cannot be printed or inflated, and has historically held its own when the dollar loses strength.