Suppose Specific Automakers is considering signing a long-term contract with the union representing its workers. Specific Automakers and the union both agree that real wages should increase by 2%. Inflation is expected to be 5%, so they agree on a 7% nominal wage increase. Now, suppose inflation turns out to be lower than expected, coming in at 4%. This wouldharm the union and Specific Automakers because the real wage increase would now be . Because of uncertainty about future inflation, the union devotes a large quantity of resources to monitoring inflation indicators in order to maximize its financial position. This illustrates the fact that: Inflation obscures relative price changes Inflation harms lenders and helps borrowers Variable inflation is associated with high transaction costs

Ultravision inc. anticipates sales of $280,000 from january through april. materials will represent 50 percent of sales, and because of level production, material purchases will be equal for each month during the four months of january, february, march, and april. materials are paid for one month after the month purchased. materials purchased in december of last year were $24,000 (half of $48,000 in sales). labor costs for each of the four months are slightly different due to a provision in the labor contract in which bonuses are paid in february and april. the labor figures are: january $14,000 february 17,000 march 14,000 april 19,000 fixed overhead is $10,000 per month. prepare a schedule of cash payments for january through april. (assume the $280,000 of sales occur equally over the four months of january through april, i.e. monthly sales = $280,000 / 4.)