Why Saving in Local Currency Is Like Storing Water in a Strainer

The Invisible Problem

Imagine every time you deposit money into your local savings account, you're pouring water into a strainer. At first, it looks fine. The bowl fills up a bit. You feel calm. But when you return hours later, most of the water is gone.

That’s exactly what happens to the purchasing power of your savings when you leave them exposed to inflation and devaluation.
This article isn’t here to scare you. It’s here to wake you up. Because if you’re saving in bolívares, pesos, soles, or quetzales, the risk isn’t hypothetical. It’s daily. Every election, every political shift, every global shock can create a new hole in the strainer holding your money.

The Silent Enemy: Inflation

Inflation is something most people are aware of, but few fully grasp. It’s not just “prices going up.” It’s your money losing value.

It’s like the water in the strainer slowly evaporating without you noticing.

A 10% annual inflation rate means that something costing $100 today will cost $110 next year. If your money just sits there, you’ll be able to buy less with it. It’s that simple.
But if you live in a country with 30%, 50%, or higher inflation, the holes in your strainer are massive. No matter how much you save, the water runs out just as fast—or faster—than you can fill it.

This isn’t just a Venezuela or Argentina problem. Even in relatively stable economies like Colombia, Mexico, or Ecuador, inflation is a constant pressure. It may move slower in some countries, but it’s always there, draining value.

Devaluation: The Sudden Leak

Unlike inflation, devaluation is the sudden tear in the strainer.

One day you wake up and your local currency has lost 15% or 20% of its value against the dollar. Why? A central bank decision. An unexpected election. A change in the rules.

For people who earn, save, and spend in the same currency, devaluation may seem like background noise. But if you ever plan to invest abroad, pay for international education, or purchase imported goods, you’ll feel the pain immediately.

When all your eggs are in one currency basket, you’re exposed. It’s like pouring water into a strainer, knowing full well that someone might poke another hole at any moment.

Why Do We Keep Using the Strainer?

The answer is simple: habit, comfort, and lack of financial education.

Most people grow up believing that having a savings account at a local bank is enough. That saving means “keeping.” But saving isn’t enough if what you’re keeping steadily loses value.

There’s also fear. Investing in U.S. dollars, real estate, or international assets sounds complicated. But it’s not. It just requires information and intent.

And that’s where Infinity⁹’s philosophy comes in: helping you build a Capital Framework that protects your wealth from the constant wear and tear of local currencies.

The Water That Doesn’t Leak: Real Assets and Global Investments

If you want to preserve your money, you need a different container. One that holds value.

Real assets—like private real estate in stable markets—or investments in strong currencies, or returns tied to global markets, offer much sturdier vessels.

For example, investing in institutional-quality multifamily real estate in the U.S. allows you to keep your capital in dollars, a more stable currency, while generating passive income and long-term growth.

These types of investments don’t just shield you from inflation. They also insulate you from local political decisions, currency swings, and the structural decline of many Latin American economies.

“Your Money Doesn’t Need a Visa”

One of the phrases we say often at Infinity⁹ is this: your money doesn’t need a visa.

You may live in Quito, Medellín, or Mexico City. But your investments can live in Miami, Austin, or Charlotte.

This isn’t about abandoning your country. It’s about being strategic.

The financial world is global. And if you want to protect and grow your wealth, you need to start thinking like sophisticated investors: with vision, diversification, and the right tools.

Real-World Example: The Entrepreneur Who Ditched the Strainer

Two years ago, we worked with a Guatemalan entrepreneur who kept 90% of his savings in quetzales. He was successful in his field, but each year, it took more and more money to buy the same things.

He didn’t fully realize the problem until he saw it affect his family goals: sending his children to college in the U.S. was becoming significantly more expensive in local currency.

With our help, he began reallocating part of his capital into multifamily properties in South Florida.
Instead of watching his purchasing power erode, he began generating income in U.S. dollars. Today, not only are his savings protected from leakage, but his capital has grown—tangibly.

What If I Do Nothing?

Sure, you can keep saving in local currency. You can ignore inflation and hope things get better.

But here’s the truth: governments rarely fix these problems quickly. And while you wait, you lose value every year.

The strainer won’t fix itself. And the water you don’t hold onto today is water you’ll never get back.

What Are the Alternatives?

Investing in private U.S. real estate is just one of many options. But it offers unique advantages:

Exposure to a stronger currency, even if you’re not a financial expert.
Generates consistent passive income.
Shields your wealth from local political shocks.
Builds a more diversified and resilient portfolio.

At Infinity⁹, we help Latin American investors access institutional-quality real estate deals that used to be reserved for large funds and family offices.

Today, with the right structure, you can ditch the strainer too.

Conclusion: Choose Your Container Wisely

Saving is important. But more important is where and how you save.

It doesn’t help much to store money if what you’re storing loses value daily.

If you care about your future, your family, and your wealth, you need a container that holds—not leaks.

Your local currency can still be part of your daily life. But it doesn’t have to be your final destination.

Start thinking like a global investor. Because at Infinity⁹, we believe there are no bad markets, just bad strategies.

The strainer is in your hands. But so is the decision to replace it.