Nicole Lappin
speaker
4,192 appearances
114 recordings
2 series
first heard Nov 2024
last heard 9 Dec
Nicole Lappin’s voice in public audio — every appearance, attributed to the second.
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recordings per month · last 12 monthsRecordings per month over the last 12 months — 5 in all, peaking in Nov 2025 with 2.
Appearances
You've probably heard this described as imported inflation. I want to double click on that last point because it's easy to confuse a weakening dollar with inflation, but they're not the exact same thing, even though they do go hand in hand. The value of the dollar is really contextual.
When you think about the value of the dollar, you're talking about how it stacks up against other currencies in the global market. So think one US dollar getting you few euro or yen. Inflation, on the other hand, measures how much more expensive goods and services are within the US economy itself.
When the dollar weakens internationally, it can also contribute to inflation domestically because imported goods then become more expensive. But inflation can also rise for unrelated reasons to the dollar, like supply chain disruptions or rising wages or, I don't know, a pandemic.
So net-net, a falling dollar affects what your money is worth abroad, while inflation affects what your money can buy at home. But to really unpack what would need to happen in order for the value of the dollar to rise, we need to talk about how the dollar gets valued in the first place. The U.S. dollar is a fiat currency, which means that it's not backed by gold or any physical commodity.
Its value comes from the fact that the US government says it has value and the global economy agrees. But the market is what really sets the price. The dollar's value is driven by supply and demand, just like anything else in a capitalist economy. There are five big levers that affect the supply and the demand of the dollar. First, a hot topic right now, interest rates.
When US interest rates are high, foreign investors want to bring their money back to the United States to get those better returns. That increases demand for the dollar and it pushes up the dollar's value. When rates are low, though, there is less demand and a weaker dollar. The second thing is inflation.
High inflation makes the dollar less valuable at home and abroad because it erodes purchasing power. Number three, economic performance. A stronger US economy with solid growth and low unemployment tends to attract foreign capital, which then boosts the dollar. Number four, market sentiment. This one is more psychological, but it's just as important.
If investors think the US economy is headed for trouble, they're probably going to pull their money out. So less demand for the dollar means lower value. And number five, trade policy and geopolitics. Tariffs, sanctions, other government policies can spook or attract, depending on what they are, investors. Uncertainty, though, is a killer for the U.S. dollar. So you do the math.
Between tariffs, inflation, interest rates, it is a perfect storm for the dollar. But even though the dollar is at a three-year low, this isn't the first time the dollar has taken a hit. In the early 2000s, after the dot-com bubble burst and the Fed slashed interest rates, the dollar weakened significantly.
And then during the 08 financial crisis, the dollar initially dropped as global markets panicked, but then recovered as investors flocked to the safety of U.S. treasuries. And most recently during the pandemic, the dollar fell sharply as uncertainty soared, only to rebound when the U.S. rolled out a juicy stimulus package and vaccines faster than other countries.
What's happening right now, though, is a bit different. The dollar's weakness is not coming from traditional financial crises, but from policy volatility and trade-related fear. Economists are now seeing higher odds of a recession due to this trade war and tariff impact. If the economy slows down, the Fed might cut interest rates to cushion the blow.
But that would only further weaken the dollar, creating this feedback loop of inflation and volatility. And if the White House meddles with Fed policy, that is another big red flag. I'm going to be talking about that more tomorrow. But markets depend on trust in U.S. institutions. If investors start doubting that the Fed can act independently, the dollar could take another nosedive.
As Brad Setzer, a former Treasury official, put it, the world might just be asking whether putting more money into the U.S. is worth the risk. And when confidence wavers, that's when currencies take a hit. For today's tip, you can take straight to the bank.
If you're planning a big overseas purchase like luxury goods or a destination wedding or even importing inventory for your small business, consider opening a multi-currency account with a fintech bank or a brokerage. It lets you convert U.S. dollars when the exchange rate is favorable and hold foreign currency until you're ready to spend it.
That way, you're not at the mercy of a dollar on the exact day of your transaction. So a little currency strategy can help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time. Your financial goals feel like a big leap away, but really it's just a bunch of baby steps that together make a big difference. When you open a time checking account, you're one step closer to a better financial future.
With no maintenance fees, fee-free overdraft up to 200 bucks, or getting paid up to two days early with direct deposit, making progress has never been easier. And if you ever want to access your pay before payday, you can use MyPay to get up to 500 bucks of your pay before payday with no mandatory fees or interest. Learn more at Chime.com slash MNN.
You know, I hate fees, especially overdraft fees. I remember when I was in my 20s and I overdrafted for the first time with an old bank. I didn't even know that I had overdraft protection turned on and that protection would mean a $35 fee on my $5 latte. But Chime allows you to overdraft up to $200 with no fees because they get it. Make progress toward a better financial future with Chime.
Open your account in just two minutes at Chime.com slash MNN. That's Chime.com slash MNN. Chime feels like progress. Banking services and debit card provided by the Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank N.A. Members FDIC. Spot me eligibility requirements and overdraft limits apply. Fees apply at out-of-network ATMs. MyPay eligibility requirements apply. Credit limits range from $20 to $500.
A $2 fee applies to get funds instantly. Chime checking account required. Go to chime.com slash disclosures for details. Money Rehab is a production of Money News Network. I'm your host, Nicole Lappin. Money Rehab's executive producer is Morgan Levoy. Our researcher is Emily Holmes. Do you need some money rehab? And let's be honest, we all do.
So email us your money questions, moneyrehab at moneynewsnetwork.com to potentially have your questions answered on the show or even have a one-on-one intervention with me. And follow us on Instagram at Money News and TikTok at Money News Network for exclusive video content. And lastly, thank you. No, seriously, thank you.
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