To beat inflation, money is invested. There are only a few main kinds of investments:

Stocks — a share in a company. They grow the most over the long run but can fall by a third or more.
Bonds — you lend to a government or company at interest. They grow slower and swing less.
Funds — a ready-made basket of hundreds of stocks or bonds in one security. The simplest way not to depend on one company.
Gold — protection in crises, pays no income.
Crypto — the highest risk: it can multiply or fall 80%.

There is one rule: the higher the possible return, the deeper the possible fall. Anyone promising high returns with no risk is lying.

The protection against mistakes is diversification: money is split between different kinds of investments so that a fall in one does not sink everything.

Financial literacy

How much: 3–6 months of living costs. If your income is unstable, closer to six.
Where to keep it: where you can withdraw within a day and the amount will not fall — a savings account or deposit. Not in stocks and not in crypto.
When to build it: before any large investing. At least one month of expenses first, then in parallel with investing.