That works out to a 4.7% increase per year.
Yeah, you're right, forgot about about "compounding". My only point is that "CPI" appears to always be a couple % too low. And the last time I saw a "wages vs inflation rate/value of a dollar" long-term chart, wages were 3-5% behind. And "next to zero" CD & MM rates aren't helping. You'll probably say "equities", but at my age I have reasons to reduce my stock holdings. "Lending Club" is doing OK for me (5.5% over 4 years or so), but unsecured/risky...like you are a credit card issuer.