A closer look
Saving money is usually seen as a virtue, but Silvio Gesell thought hoarders were economic parasites. In the early 20th century, he proposed "Freigeld," a currency that systematically lost value over time unless you bought a stamp to keep it valid. It was essentially cash with an expiration date. The idea was to terrify people into spending their money immediately, supercharging the velocity of money. Keynes actually praised the guy, proving that mainstream economists secretly love the idea of punishing you for having a savings account.
