If inflation is a quiet thief, then deflation is an armed burglar. You wouldn't invite either into your home, yet chances are that one of the two is stealing your money right now.
Here's the good news: You can protect yourself, but only if you know which villain to prepare for.
And, while the usual suspects failed to anticipate the major component of deflation, EWI president Robert Prechter set the stage early for its arrival in his 2002 book Conquer the Crash (Third Edition: 2014). There in Chapter 9 Bob outlined the following preconditions for deflation that, when read in the context of today's financial crisis, are nothing short of impeccable:
"When social mood trend changes from optimism to pessimism, creditors, debtors, producers, and consumers change their primary orientation from expansion to conservatism. As creditors become more conservative, they slow their lending. When debtors become more conservative, they borrow less or not at all. As consumers become more conservative, they save more and spend less.... The next chapters present a discussion that will allow you to understand today's money and credit situation and why deflation is due."
Read that chapter, When Does Deflation Occur?, along with Chapter 11, What Makes Deflation Likely Today?, from Prechter's Conquer the Crash in this free resource.
Visit Elliott Wave International to Download Your Free Report on Inflation and Deflation.
