Category: Economics & Investing

A reader in Wyoming wrote to ask about topping off the gas, diesel and propane tanks at his ranch. My advice: Wait until late September. I expect unleaded gasoline to be at or below $3.00per gallon by then. QE3, by any other name: Fed Extends Twist, Signals Concerns Commentary by Michael Casey: Let’s be frank, the Euro’s days are numbered. (Thanks to Joseph G. for the link.) Karl Denninger: It Didn’t Work (Again) The downgrades keep coming: 15 Major Investment Banks See Ratings Cut by Moody’s. (A hat tip to Diana V. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: US …

I am sorry. This article is not about debating the best calibers for your main battle rifle or dehydrating meat. It is not even a topic most people consider suitable for dinner conversation. It is not about any topic that I have seen on this blog, but it is crucial if you have a retreat property and want to protect it. You see, about six months in December 2011 ago it got very cold here in our rectangular state. Close to zero actually. But first, let’s go back another six months to May of 2011. While on the road traveling …

SurvivalBlog reader S.O.B. sent this: “Gary Gordon, president of Pacific Park Financial, an investment advisory firm, says he is “not buying anything at the moment until the world rights its ship.” But for investors who do want to trade on a bearish view of the global economy, he suggests the….” S.O.B. ‘s left this biting comment: “So guys in the know are holding on to their cash and not investing in intangibles like ETFs. But they are happy to advise their clients to buy stuff they wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole, how nice.” Some interesting observations at The Daily Bell: …

C.A. in Oregon mentioned a recent news story that might be a preview for American farmers that have orchards near cities or suburbs: Desperation thefts of crops from farms in Spain. Clive Maund: Heads A Deflationary Implosion – Tails A Hyperinflationary Depression… Upside Down America: The lingering problems of negative equity – Over 10 million Americans are underwater with 1 million having loan-to-value ratios of 150 percent or higher Are Bitcoins Becoming Europe’s New Safe Haven Currency? Items from The Economatrix: Weak Factories, Sentiment Show Shaky US Recovery There’s A Positive Sign For Housing V’s Response to Greek Election Facade-Just …

Hello James, I have started buying “junk” U.S. silver coins as part of my preparedness plan. I have found the valuation formula for bulk bags of the 90% silver coins, but in spite of a lot of research I have still have not been able to find the formula to value an individual coin. Would you please provide the formula to determine the value of an individual 90% silver dime, quarter, and half-dollar?   Thank You and God Bless, – Joe from Florida JWR Replies: Here is some data that you should print out and keep in your reference binder. Most of …

Steve C. chalked up this one: Social Explosion Concerns in Greece Following Election Pierre M. sent: Debt crisis: Greek government will be forced to seek third bail-out B.B. suggested this: Thanks Obamacare: 83% of Doctors Surveyed Say They May Quit Spanish short-term debt costs reach alarm levels. (Thanks to Sue C. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Europe on the Brink as Greek Crisis Comes to a Climax City By City, Here’s Your Guide To The Painfully Slow Economic Recovery Signs Of US Weakness Mount As Confidence, Output Fall Payrolls Climb In 27 US States, Jobless Rate Rises In …

Mr. Rawles, This is a response to Patrick S. letter concerning Canadian Nickels. I previously sent a post to you on the topic of sorting Canadian pennies and there was an excellent response related to Canadian nickels. Since then there has been a development in that the Canadian government has discontinued issuing new pennies. To this effect, I no longer bother sorting pennies.  In the spirit of your recent post concerning the possibility of bank holidays in the US (which I believe will could happen in Canada), I keep every penny I find regardless of if they are debased or …

Ed H. sent this: European press: Hollow victory in Greece. Meanwhile we read: Euro crisis far from over, stock analysts warn. (In essence, the EU is just forestalling the inevitable.) Michael H. sent this: Get Ready for the Coming Social Security Fight The global addiction of central banking stimulus – Contagion spreads to Spain as 10-year edges to 7 percent. Life in a perpetual quantitative easing world. Mike in Pennsylvania suggested this: Bank: We’re defaulting, but don’t you dare F.G. sent this: Chaos: Spanish Coal Miners Fire Homemade Rockets at Police to Protest Austerity File under Caching and OPSEC: Ashland …

James Wesley: I am Canadian and would like to know if you could possibly tell me what year(s) of nickels would be advisable for me to purchase. These would be for investment in the future as barter or monetary trade. Thanking you for your informative blog site. Is there anything comparable in Canada that you are aware of ? I would be much obliged for the information. Thanking You – Patrick S. JWR Replies: The situation with Canadian nickels is much more complicated than with U.S. nickels. Here is some background: In the States, just about the only commonly-circulating nickels …

‘People need some way out’: Bartering takes hold in austerity-wracked Greece. (Thanks to Brad S. for the link.) More derivatives drama: How shock waves will hit US if Greece drops euro. The CDS exposure will be enormous. Marc Faber: ‘100% Chance’ of Global Recession Bill M. spotted this: Investors tout ‘condemnation’ for housing fix. Eminent domain, seriously? What socialist claptrap! Is Silver Currently Riskier Than Gold? Andy Sutton: From Frying Pan to Fire Items from The Economatrix: The Euro’s Collapse Is Not Just About The Euro Lloyd’s Preparing For Euro Collapse John Galta–Report From Greece:  Limited Capital Controls Implemented Velvet …

Bill Whittle discusses entitlements, the debt, and the inevitability of credit downgrades, higher interest rates, and hyperinflation: I’m Talking To You James K. highlighted this news item in McNewspaper: Worst-case scenario is ugly if Greece leaves the Euro Reader Sue C. sent us this: Countries across world gird for Greece turmoil G.G. recommended this article in Der Spiegel: Desperate Greeks Withdraw Money from Accounts Strong ties between JPMorgan, Senate Banking Committee. JWR’s Comment: The Senate committee members must be “…shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on…” at JPMorgan. Diana V. flagged this: Hong Kong Exchange to Buy London …