Economics and Investing:

Something Broke In The U.S. Silver Market

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Here is a new interview done with Jeff Berwick regarding current and upcoming events.

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Items from Professor Preponomics:

U.S. News

Sell the Bonds, Sell the House, Dread the Fed (Contra Corner) Article Quote: “There is going to be carnage in the casino…” …and from one of the comments at the end: “As the pilot told the passengers after lightning struck the plane and fried all of its instrumentation: “I’ve got some bad news and some good news. First, the bad news. We have no idea where we are, no idea where we are going, and we are not even sure that our trajectory has not turned us into a nosedive. THAT SAID, the good news is that we are making EXCELLENT time.”

CAGW Reacts to Omnibus Budget Deal and Tax Extenders Package (Citizens Against Government Waste) Article Quote: “… political expediency was placed ahead of the taxpayers’ interests in a backroom…”

Higher Interest Rates will Raise Interest Costs on the National Debt (Peter G. Peterson Foundation) Commentary: With all eyes on the Fed, this is an interesting focus on failed fiscal policy which also remains very important as we consider the financial condition of the country and the steps which must be taken to step it back from the precipice.

International News

Bank of Japan Announces Extra Easing Measures (Market Watch) From the Article… “The surprise moves reflect a renewed sense of urgency at the central bank.”

Switzerland Has Discovered the Unintended Consequences of Negative Interest Rates (Business Insider) From the Article… “As the Swiss mortgage debacle shows, markets can be recalcitrant and re-develop a will of their own when things get too absurd.”

Bank of England Set to Limit Lending to Landlords (The Telegraph) Article Quote: “Mark Carney, governor at the Bank of England, has warned that he fears the buy-to-let sector could be a source of risk in the financial sector. ” …and Commentary: This article is interesting as international news, and as well because of the high levels of rental demand across the U.S. Could changes to investor loans be coming across the pond in America as well?

Personal Economics and Household Finance

15 Quick and Easy Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas (Living on the Cheap) Great Ideas: “From edibles to handmade bath products, all of these Christmas gift ideas provide an affordable way to celebrate the holidays and to give gifts that are unique and special.”