You can negate inflation. Research technology for Governors - those reduce inflation. Don´t mint money but relay on your yearly income so inflation doesn´t rise.
There are random events that might reduce inflation by 2% so having 2% or less is not that bad. With some luck it might be reduced to 0 again. For more infor about inflation and the economy read:
http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?238483-Economy-FAQ-for-1.09
Ok ,oh,and have a way to disable attrition?Even if I need mod the game,I try