Turks often keep gold as a hedge against inflation. It may be hurting Turkey's future

Billions of dollars worth of gold is held in Turkish households outside the banking system. The government aims to convince citizens to put it into the mainstream financial system to help the economy. Transcript SCOTT DETROW, HOST: In Turkey, gold is gifted throughout life's major milestones. Stashing it safely at home is also a time-honored practice. Turks have long safeguarded their fortunes as a hedge against the country's volatile economy, but officials say all that gold hoarding is hurting Turkey's financial future. NPR's Hadeel Al-Shalchi reports from Istanbul.HADEEL AL-SHALCHI, BYLINE: It's early at the Mahmutpasa Yokusu market in the heart of Istanbul.(CROSSTALK)AL-SHALCHI: Store owners call out their wares as shoppers dart in and out, snatching up everything from kitchen gadgets to blankets to wedding dresses. Bride-to-be Nefise Asker says she's having to find six outfits that she'll change into over her dayslong wedding this September.NEFISE ASKER: (Non-English language spoken).AL-SHALCHI: "I'm trying to find the one I'll wear during my wedding photo shoot," she says. Along with the dresses, the 23-year-old says she can't wait to get the staple of Turkish wedding gifts - ...