The 2008 global equity (NYSEArca: EFA ), real estate (NYSEArca: RWO ) and commodity (NYSEArca: DBC ) meltdown erased an estimated $50 trillion worth of wealth. Deflation Threat - A Simple Concept Government spending and money printing has been identified as key causes for an alleged inflationary environment. The Europe (NYSEArca: FEZ) debt debacle reminds us how vital cash is - that's why the European Central Bank and the IMF made $1 trillion available for entire governments.