Todays Dollars vs. Tomorrow

I know you've probably answered this question 1000 times - but I couldn't find the right answer to understand it in my terms. Sooo -

I understand all $ are expressed in "Todays $". What I don't understand is ... looking at the Annual Recommendations Report for one of my scenarios my consumption is (rounded) $50,000 until the year 2036. BUT - with 3.5% inflation every year in the year 2036 if I were to write one check for my annual consumption (including inflation) the amount would be for $126,578.

To my way of thinking (obviously wrong) I understand that 27 years from now it would take $126,578 to mean the same thing as $50,000 today - but I would still have to write a check for $126,578 !!!

By the same token - if I had $50,000 in savings today ... earned a consistent 3.5% every year and inflation was the same 3.5% as above - am I not going to have the same $50,000 in the bank 27 years from now that I have today. And if that's the case - how am I going to "write a check" for my anticipated $126,578 consumption 27 years from now?

Sorry to bother you with apparently pretty mundane questions ...

Thanks