shouldn't our money be worth something?

Question

not just trading around worthless peices of paper

Answer 1

Would you like to return to the gold standard?

Answer 2

All money, regardless of whether it's paper money, or actual gold coins, is only as valuable as we perceive it to be.

As an example, I once bought 10 .999 fine silver coins worth about $80. I then tried to actually use them to purchase things. I told people what the going rate was and told them I'd even accept a little less. No one would let me use them as money. I still have those coins to this day. Nobody would accept pure silver as money.

Furthermore, if normal society is severely disrupted, a bag of gold coins ain't going to be worth squat, while canned food and fuel will be highly prized forms of money.

There is nothing magical about having your money backed by something real. It just means whatever that thing that backs it must be held somewhere secure and stored, while never being used. Quite wasteful actually.

Answer 3

research gold standard...there was a point in time in which our currency was worth less than the metals it was made of. ..thus people just melted coins.. It's the bank signature/authorization that makes our money worth something. Plus, the price of metals fluctuates a lot, by having paper currency, we can stablilize the actual value of money.

Answer 4

They are not worthless; you and I and the rest of the world agree that money is worth something. Therefore, it has value.

Answer 5

So, you are only trading your money for other money? Most people use money to purchase goods and services, showing that the money is valuable.