Over the last 50 years the US dollar has lost 86% of its value.
So if you had put money into a long term investment that earned 5% a year, over 50 years $100 would have become $800, however $800 in 2022 equals $112 in 1972. So in reality your $100 increased in value by $12 or about 0.25 per year. However, that does not include the tax on your earnings. So in reality you probably at most, depending on where you live, would make $9 on your $100 over a 50 year time frame.
Some may think that they can do better than 5%. Perhaps in the stock market they would earn 10%, however, you have to pay tax on your earnings every time you trade the stock. However, 9 out of 10 Fortune 500 companies from 1955 are gone. If you had a mutual fund you would have been required to pay tax annually. But then they pull an outrageous scam. You invested $100 after 50 years you are paid back $800. They calculate the $700 is your taxable earnings. At 25% that is $175. So, after taxes you have $625, but they are worth 86% less, that is $87.50 in 1972 dollars.
My point is the average inflation rate in the US for the last fifty years is 3.8% and at that rate it is very difficult to make money investing. At 6% the economy collapses.