What effect does inflation have on a consumer's purchasing power?

Inflation refers to the general increase in prices of goods and services over time. When inflation occurs, the value of money declines, meaning that a consumer can buy fewer goods and services with the same amount of money than they could before. This reduction in the amount of goods and services that can be purchased with a given income directly leads to a decrease in purchasing power.

For example, if a loaf of bread cost $2 last year and inflation causes the price to rise to $2.20 this year, a consumer who earns $2 will find that their money no longer allows them to purchase the same quantity of bread. Therefore, as inflation rises, without a corresponding increase in wages or income, consumers experience a decrease in their ability to purchase goods and services, effectively reducing their overall purchasing power.

In essence, inflation erodes the purchasing power of money, leading to the conclusion that it decreases a consumer's purchasing power.