Hard numbers: The economy is worse than you know [1]
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UBS reports first quarter net loss of $11 billion, cuts 5,500 jobs [2]
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Just as I had warned you, folks: Penny prices pinched by rising cost of metal. [3] The article begins: “Further evidence that times are tough: It now costs more than a penny to make a penny. And the cost of a nickel is more than 71?2 cents. Surging prices for copper, zinc and nickel have some in Congress trying to bring back the steel-made pennies of World War II and maybe using steel for nickels, as well.” (A hat tip to Paul in Kentucky for sending us the link.) A reminder: You still have a brief window of opportunity to salt away some rolls of nickels [4] at face value.
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Rumors of shortage prompt rush on rice in Anchorage area [5]. This confirms my previous writings about the vulnerability of Alaska to shortages, because of its dependence on sea and air freight for necessities.