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Economic Definition of money functions. Defined.

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Term money functions Definition: Any item used as money in an economy performs automatically takes on four basic functions: (1) medium of exchange, (2) measure of value, (3) store of value, and (4) standard of deferred payment. While "buying and selling" means that money is THE medium of exchange, by far THE most important function of money, money also performs measure of value, store of value, and standard of deferred payment functions. Measure of value, also termed unit of account, means that prices are stated in terms of money. Store of value means that value, the satisfaction of wants and needs, can be stored over time using money. Standard of deferred payment means that future payments, such as paying off a car loan, are also in terms of the monetary unit.

 

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