Yes, that’s exactly what it is, but with one crucial additional factor: investment.
Mild inflation does not discourage saving, it discourages saving the actual currency, which does nothing for the economy. It encourages saving in the form of investment, which stimulates the economy.
If my dollars were guaranteed to get more and more valuable over time, why would I spend them (more than absolutely necessary) or invest them in economic ventures? This is why deflationary currency is bad.
Your dollars already do get more valuable over time wrt consumer electronics and cars, yet people still purchase them en masse.
Many still spend in a deflationary environment, they just do so with far more care about the product and it's longevity.
People will invest also, though only with a expected return greater than deflation gains.
Instead the status quo is being forced into overvalued equities or real estate investments. There's no real option to be a saver in the western world anymore.
It might be bad for the economy/GDP but what about for the individual? Consider a blue collar worker just making enough to get by and saving a little cash on the side. Why are you forcing this person to learn about inflation, interest rates, the SP500, etc.
If they are saving a little bit on the side for the short term, inflation will not noticeably hurt them (I am speaking of a well-managed monetary system with mild inflation such as the US). If they want to save for the long term, then they should invest it if they want to maximize gains. That’s what’s best for the individual.
What if they're not interested in maximizing gains? What if they don't want to learn about investing? What if they just want their hard earned money to not evaporate on them?
Mild inflation does not discourage saving, it discourages saving the actual currency, which does nothing for the economy. It encourages saving in the form of investment, which stimulates the economy.
If my dollars were guaranteed to get more and more valuable over time, why would I spend them (more than absolutely necessary) or invest them in economic ventures? This is why deflationary currency is bad.