Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on Urbanization. (See the Troubling Trends section, near the end of this column.)
Stocks:
Bloomberg reports: Old Wall Street Is Losing the Battle Beneath the Surface of ETFs
Commodities:
Next, Nick Cunningham opines: Chinese EV Boom Could Crash Oil Prices
Economy and Finance:
On to this: White House Says Corporate Tax Cut Would Boost Wages $4,000
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Yellen Calls Inflation the ‘Biggest Surprise’ in the Economy. JWR’s Comments: Some of us are not so surprised. In fact some of us are anticipating lots of inflation, when interest rates inevitably bounce back.
Troubling Trends (Urbanization):
Urbanization and the Mass Movement of People to Cities. JWR’s Comments: From a survivalist standpoint, personally mitigating the many risks of urbanization is simple: Get Thee To The Redoubt!
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Science Daily has a regular roundup of urbanization news.
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Figure of the week: Urbanization, poverty, and social protection in East Africa. JWR’s Comments: The nexus of trouble in the next decade will probably be Tanzania and its contiguous neighboring countries, as Islamic jihadist hegemony attempts to expand.
Tangibles Investing:
In a Cashless World, You’d Better Pray the Power Never Goes Out. JWR’s Comment: For now, keep plenty of small denomination cash on hand. Once cash is obsolete, it will be silver dimes and quarters that could keep your family fed, in a crisis.
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. So please see our Provisos page for our detailed disclaimers.
News Tips:
Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who particularly watch individual markets. And due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” investing news. We often “get the scoop” on economic and investing news that is probably ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
Unfortunately small denomination bills are the $100.00. That should get me a couple of loaves of bread; maybe.
Roadkill:
I suspect that there is more than a little sarcasm in your comment, however, having small bills (5, 10, 20) will certainly make any transaction easier especially if you expect change back.
It might be hard to get $90 change for $10 worth of ice. I’d rather hand over a $10 bill.
To All,
Currently, I watch the spot price of silver, and (when I can afford it from the budget), take $100 CASH (nice, green, untraceable cash), go to my local coin shop, and buy what I can of 1 OZ silver rounds. Most bang for your paper buck. They’re not quite the same as gubberment minted coins, but I figure after the collapse, they’ll work just as well.
And yes, I do also have several dollars worth of junk silver coins to fill in the gaps. But I don’t buy it on a regular basis.
RE: the Chinese EV boom…..
The EV boom may be fine for the Big City Urban dweller, who only uses his/her/it’s car for the short commute to work, store and restaurant.
But for those of us who occasionally like to take a long distance (several days worth) vacation out into the back wilderness, somehow I can’t see a Toyota Prius cutting it, both for carrying capacity, distance and (dare I say it?) “refueling”.
Ditto for the Prepper (Survivalist, whatever), who wants a vehicle that can carry him, his family, and possessions, FAR away from the SHTF situation. Again, I’m not seeing a Chevy Volt making the grade. Give me a 4Runner or FJ instead.
NOW—-I will say this—–when Toyota makes a Tacoma/Tundra style pick-em-up or 4Runner style SUV in crossover EV, THEN (and ONLY then) will I consider buying one—–but only as a secondary vehicle. I will KEEP, and drive, my 2000 4Runner, for those times when I need distance, carrying capacity, and/or both to “bugout”.
Chinese EVs? What about the effect on the Lithium supply?
https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/zm3d9x/lithium-ion-battery-demand-supply-chain-tesla
Not to mention the energy required to make, recycle, and charge electric vehicles.
The 4Runner is one of the best built vehicles and can handle all kinds of terrain and weather.
I have been in blizzards and it just tracked perfectly.
Just add a couple of Jerry cans and you have 500 plus miles of range