Laffer economics

Lost in all the noisy trumpeting about the wonderfulness of Laffer economics is the fact that inflation helped people who live within their means — like us, for example.
Excuse me for thinking this, but I’ve always felt the value of stock reflected inflation — that some companies may outpace it, and some tank, but essentially the stock-market reflects inflation.
Years ago a youngish dork, son of the local E.F. Hutton branch-manager, entertained me with the siren-song of “making money” — I was very skeptical. He advised me to buy certain “sure winners” that promptly tanked.
Uh yeah, sure; drive your shimmering Mercedes home with a bloated commission in your pocket at my expense. We got out.
Meanwhile inflation expanded our salaries and the value of our house, while the relative cost of our mortgage decreased immensely.
The cost of credit skyrocketed, but we weren’t carrying debt. Our cars were paid for cash, and our mortgage had a set rate — and it was only on a $15,000 house.
Meanwhile the rates savings pay climb with the cost of credit, so our savings were making money hand-over-fist. I remember CDs paying 15%.
Our income soared so high, we were putting 50-60% in savings.
Our new house was paid for with cash; and the mortgage, which was only about 1/4th the value of the house, has since been paid off.
“Don’t you have any debts?” a retirement-advisor asked.
During my final years at Transit, we invested excess in 401(k) mutual-funds; $30,000 each.
Both have grown to nearly $100,000 — interest alone.
The reason is that we’re not blowing 89 bazilyun dollars on speedboats or ‘Vettes or camping-RVs.
And years ago I graduated Houghton with a sizable debt. I decided to pay it off.