[nine_k]

If you want to prevent your cash from getting eaten by inflation, park it in an index fund, T-notes, etc.

If you want to have a reserve for a case when things go badly wrong, banks all go under, government can't bail them out, etc, then park some of your cash in yuan and rupee, in a piece of overseas realty, in gold bullion, and don't forget to invest in medical supplies, shells, and other such gear.

Different views of the future risks drive different decisions.