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The national debt is surging, the Federal Reserve is quietly shifting policy, and the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar continues to erode. According to real estate investor and financial commentator Graham Stephan, the warning signs are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
In a recent video titled “The United States Is About To ‘Reset’ Your Money – What Happens Next,” Stephan breaks down what the end of quantitative tightening could mean for inflation, wages, asset prices, and everyday Americans heading into 2026.
Watch his full YouTube video below, or scroll down for a summary of Graham Stephan’s main points:
What Does It Mean When the Fed Ends Quantitative Tightening?
One of the biggest takeaways from Graham Stephan’s video is the Federal Reserve’s decision to end quantitative tightening (QT).
In simple terms:
- Quantitative tightening means the Fed is removing money from the economy
- Ending QT means the Fed stops pulling money out
- The next step is often quantitative easing (QE) — better known as money creation
Stephan explains that this policy shift is already underway. As the Fed allows fewer assets to roll off its balance sheet, more liquidity remains in the financial system. Historically, that has been a precursor to renewed stimulus.
The last time the Fed aggressively injected liquidity into the economy was during 2020 and 2021. The result was a rapid rebound in asset prices — but also the highest inflation Americans have seen in decades.
Money Printing Helped Markets... But Hurt Savers
Stephan is careful to point out that monetary stimulus did prevent a catastrophic economic collapse during the pandemic. However, the long-term consequences have been severe for everyday households.
While asset owners benefited, many Americans experienced the opposite:
- Wages failed to keep pace with rising prices
- Savings lost purchasing power
- Essentials like housing, insurance, healthcare, and food became significantly more expensive
Between 2020 and 2025, median wages rose roughly 22%, while reported inflation climbed around 25%. Stephan argues that real-world inflation for many households may feel closer to double the official number, especially when factoring in housing, insurance, and transportation costs.
In other words, even when paychecks went up, buying power often went down.
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Why Inflation Feels Worse Than the Official Numbers
Official inflation metrics tend to emphasize consumer goods like groceries and fuel. Stephan argues that this misses what truly strains household budgets.
The costs that matter most have surged far faster:
- Home prices and rents
- Auto prices and insurance premiums
- Health insurance and medical expenses
- Interest costs on credit cards and loans
These are non-optional expenses. When they rise faster than wages, households fall behind — even if inflation reports appear “under control.”
Slower Growth Forces the Fed’s Hand
As higher interest rates slowed borrowing, the economy began showing signs of strain:
- Businesses found it harder to access credit
- Consumers pulled back on large purchases
- Housing activity stalled
- Credit card balances replaced traditional borrowing
According to Stephan, this environment pressures the Fed to inject liquidity again. The theory is that easier money encourages lending, business expansion, and job creation.
But there’s a catch.
AI, Automation, and Job Security Risks
One of the more sobering sections of Stephan’s commentary centers on artificial intelligence and automation.
Even if easier money stimulates growth, businesses may not respond by hiring more people. Instead, they may invest in automation to reduce long-term labor costs.
Stephan suggests that AI and robotics could replace a wide range of jobs — from office roles to physical labor — faster than many expect. That raises a troubling question: what happens when more money is created, but fewer people earn it?
Historically, that imbalance has benefited asset holders far more than wage earners.
Interest Rates, Treasuries, and Housing Affordability
Stephan also explains why lower Federal Reserve rates don’t always translate to cheaper mortgages.
Mortgage rates are closely tied to the 10-year Treasury yield, which is influenced more by market demand than Fed policy. Even if the Fed cuts short-term rates, mortgage rates can remain elevated if investors demand higher yields.
Only in severe economic distress does the Fed step in to buy large amounts of Treasuries or mortgage-backed securities — something Stephan views as a red flag rather than a relief.
Is Another Inflation Wave Coming in 2026?
Looking ahead, Stephan outlines a potential turning point in 2026, when Jerome Powell’s term as Fed Chair ends.
A new Federal Reserve leadership under political pressure to stimulate growth, could push interest rates lower. Historically, that combination has fueled asset inflation.
While markets may already be pricing in some of these expectations, major unknowns remain:
- How sticky inflation will be
- How deep AI-driven job displacement goes
- Whether asset prices can continue rising without a correction
Stephan believes volatility is inevitable. The timing is simply unknown.
What This Means for Long-Term Savers
Stephan’s core message is not to panic, but to prepare.
His guidance centers on long-term financial discipline:
- Invest consistently rather than trying to time markets
- Keep expenses under control
- Protect income and job security
- Avoid excessive debt during uncertain periods
For many Americans, this also raises broader questions about currency risk, purchasing power, and how to preserve wealth during prolonged periods of monetary expansion.
The Economic Reality
Whether or not one agrees with the idea of a formal “reset,” the underlying reality is difficult to dispute: more debt, more money creation, and weaker purchasing power have become structural features of the U.S. economy.
As history has shown, those conditions tend to reward hard assets and long-term ownership — while punishing cash savers and wage earners.
As always, understanding how monetary policy affects your money is the first step toward protecting it.


