How do hedge inflation?
Real estate, mortgages
Gold is traditionally used specifically as a hedge against inflation (though you won't be getting nearly the returns over the long term compared to index funds).
Oh wait.
Gold is a terrible inflation hedge. Any other commodity worked better. Basically anything that is a part of the cpi basket is an inflation hedge. (Insert used car meme.)
much of the CPI are depreciatory or non-durable goods. i can’t hedge against multi-year inflation by purchasing meat and dairy. if i buy a car as you suggest, it’s not likely to be worth as much 5 years from now than today.
or do you mean not literally buying the CPI basket, but buying commodity futures, stock in producer companies, etc?
of course you have to know when the regime changes, see e.g. energy prices in the past 3 months.