Isn't a government bond basically equivalent to inflation? That would mean you have a risk-free way to get "inflation" returns, with the caveat that you can't access the money for a period of time. Although I guess you can argue that "tying up" the money is a form a risk, and almost certainly a luxury some poor people cannot afford.

>Isn't a government bond basically equivalent to inflation? That would mean you have a risk-free way to get "inflation" returns, with the caveat that you can't access the money for a period of time

It's not risk free, there is nothing that stops government from creating inflation so they can pay off the debt for in inflated dollars.

Today, central bank alone doesn't have power to make create money out of thin air. Government guaranteeing loans from banks to corporate players and projects is creating inflation. It's good for politicians as they can pay off their expensive mistakes in cheap money.

Treasury bills are considered "risk-free", although pedantically of course nothing is actually free of risk.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/risk-freereturn.asp

A bond has a NPV like any other instrument. The purchase cost of a TIPS can be any price, including above coupon. TIPS are especially sensitive to interest rate risk because higher interest rates drop both the underlying asset value, and the inflation index. So it’s basically just a double-leverage T-note.

I will admit I have little financial management knowledge myself. I am inclined to agree with you, but what is the bank doing with the money you keep there?

Isn't the bank meant to be using your money in a "managed fund" like manner? IE leverage it to make profits.

Here in Australia the banks make quite decent profits, and yet a savings account can't break even, before tax?!?

I haven't done the sums but I am curious if it is better to own shares in the bank than put money in the bank.

I am also inclined to ensure my son does get financial knowledge. It is hard to play a game you know only limited rules of.

Bank also makes money on transaction fees (both merchant and account holder side) which is something bank account owners don't make.