Tell Doc, jackass. If you had $1000 ( I assume that is stretching your imagination) 20 years ago. And you didn't need it for consumption. Would you simply leave said $1000 in your wallet?
Currency is designed to lose value if it is not used for consumption or invested to support future growth. Consumption in the present and $1 is a $1. Invested to support growth in society (via numerous channels) and $1 is worth $xxx in the future.
The notion of currency losing value is wrong on so many levels. Most notably, it is an incorrect assumption about the role of money in a modern economy.