Since air is an essential element for survival, its value is infinitely high; however, because it can be obtained anywhere, its price is effectively zero. Nevertheless, pure 100% oxygen is rare and can have a price. The distinction between value and price is important, but many people don’t understand how they differ. Exclusivity of supply is necessary to assign a price to something’s value. Exclusivity means only you can supply it, and people can only buy from you. Time also makes exclusivity. That is the message that you cannot buy it without now. Universality creates value, and scarcity creates price, thereby placing a value on that value. But these two contradict each other. Wealth is always built on contradictions. That’s why business and investment can be so challenging. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Many people in our society invest in bonds . Perhaps you, reading this article, have invested in bonds at least once and are still investing now. Bank deposits are a form of bonds, just not labeled as ‘bonds.’ When you deposit your money in a bank, the money isn’t considered bank money. Interest is paid because the money isn’t withdrawn immediately. When you withdraw your deposited money, the bank must return the principal plus interest. This is essentially a bond. However, the only reason this differs from bonds as an investment asset is that these bank deposits are not traded on the market. If bank deposits were traded publicly, the interest rate would be evaluated in comparison with other deposits, even if the principal remains unchanged. Valuation reflects opportunity cost . This is the transaction value of bonds . When goods or assets are traded in the market, their value is re-evaluated. The core of value is comparison, and the tool for valuation is opportunity cost. That’s why C...