If you save what does that mean? Instead of using money to buy a flat screen tv what does saving mean? If I put it in the bank I am really buying short term commercial paper and perhaps mortgages. If I hold bank notes I am really holding perpetual 0% interest US gov debt. Gold coins are really not much different than buying gold jewelry. So why is buying stock not the same as saving? What is saving, as opposed to consuming? If I had $1000 and wanted to do this saving with it, what are my options for savings activity? Can you provid me with a list of things that I could do with $1000 that you consider saving?
Savings = deferred consumption.
Saying that putting your money in a savings account is no more savings than buying stocks is a knock against the banking system. If you hold a ticket for your $1000 ie a deposit slip that entitles you to withdraw your $1000 at anytime you have saved it. Putting your money in the stock market you hold no such ticket your accounts may rise in value, but in fact the companies stock could drop to zero. The fact that putting money in this fraudulent fractional reserve banking system that we currently have can be every bit as risky does not change the fact that there is a definite distinction beteween not spending your money and putting it in a savings account, and buying stocks.