Make inflation occur later and affect unkeep

if this is implemented it would need to affect dust production in all aspects if upkeep is changed so so something that used to produce enought dust to let you keep a ship could always catch up. 

also a good way to prevent being boged down in inflation is to buy resorces early and then sell them later, it's best used during an event that affects a resorce you dont use and you dont already produce.

That are interesting ideas. 

Additionally to inflation affecting upkeep of fleets and improvements, one could add a "credit" System. Empires can take a loan with interest (related to inflation), and that could be added on top of existing inflation.

That loan could then be due in a fixed number of turns or related to certain events/actions, with a buyout option for the empire or other empires. 

If the loan is not payed back, buildings are sold, fleets lost etc. maybe with a hefty modifier on future loans - since a loan could change a war/empire dramatically, there should be a high cost for failing payback or a big entry cost like having a good record with the bank etc. That could also be used as a tool of cooperation (lending to allies), or a new feature for lumeris.

(Sry for butchering english, i am no native speaker)