Category: Economics & Investing

James K. was the first of several readers to send this piece in the usually Pollyannaish McNewspaper: Three doomsaying experts who foresee economic devastation ahead G.G. suggested this: Extreme couponers push some retailers to tweak the rules. Reader C.D.V. sent these four article links: Credit Card Debt Nears Toxic Levels George Osborne: UK has run out of money More bad news: U.S. water bills to triple. (Yet another good reason to move out to the country and build where you can use spring or PV-pumped well water.) Cue the dark, foreboding Beethoven music: Iran Moves Further to End Petrodollar, Announces …

Japan posts record trade deficit while real estate values go deep into the 1980s. US has decade long collapse in real estate values in spite of record low mortgage rates. The path of two lost decades in US real estate values is looking very similar to Japan. Ben in Nevada sent this: The price of cooking the books (Describes inflation statistics fraud in Argentina) In tough economy, people turning in rare, unique items in for cash G.G. flagged this: A new recession seems inevitable Items from The Economatrix: False Recovery 2.0:  It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like 2011 Jim …

Diana sent this little history lesson: When the $1 Note Was Silver-Backed Cable TV show ignites modern-day Alaska Gold Rush. Thanks to R.B.S. for the link. Loyal content contributor R.B.S. sent this: In tough economy, people turning in rare, unique items in for cash Items from The Economatrix: Pawn Stars:  Five Household Items With Hidden Value Iran Threatens To Extend Oil Embargo Analysts Warn Oil Could Pass $200 on Iran Tensions 8 Reasons Why the Greek Debt Deal May Not Stop a Chaotic Greek Debt Default

Veteran content contributor K.A.F. sent this: Gasoline Prices are Not Rising, the Dollar is Falling. Here is a brief quote: “”Right now, the threat posed by rising gasoline prices is not just to family budgets. An even greater danger is that the government will use escalating oil prices as an excuse to do something stupid.” G.G. flagged this: Chart of the Week: Nearly Half of All Americans Don’t Pay Income Taxes The Real Hunt Brothers Silver Story Part 1 Projected PIIGS Pillage: 3233.5 Tons of Gold to be Confiscated by Insolvent European Banks Items from The Economatrix: Gasoline Gas Spike …

Chart: ‘America’s Per Capita Government Debt Worse Than Greece‘. (Thanks to B.B. for the link.) The compression of generations – 25 million adults live at home with parents because they’re unemployed or underemployed. Reader R.B.S. sent this: Idaho Rep. Hart pushes gold coins as ‘legal tender’ $6 Gas This Summer — U.S. Economy Falls Off Cliff Items from The Economatrix: Iran Stopped Selling Crude to UK and France Oil Price Hits 8-Month High Gallup Finds Unemployment Climbing to 9% in February US Dollar Could Weaken Amid Euro Talks

A derivatives article worth reading, by way of Fierce Finance: Exclusive: SEC widens probe of exchange-traded funds. Currency Debasement Should Take Gold Prices Over $6,000/oz and Silver Above $400/oz Spain barter economy wins followers in grip of crisis. (Thanks to Tim R. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: 18 Statistics that Prove the Economy Has Not Improved Under the Current Administration Colorado Looking At Gold, Silver Currency Turning The Screw On Greece Oil Above $104 After EU Gives Greece Bailout Deal

Diana sent this: Silver Price Could Double by Year End. G.G. suggested this New York Times article: Citing Losses, Postal Service Seeks Higher Stamp Prices Also from G.G.: Jobless disability claims soar to record $200 Billion as of January Chuck recommend a piece that was posted over at Zero Hedge last year: Art Cashin On The Most Important History Lesson Of The Last Century Items from The Economatrix: Eric Sprott:  Silver Will Be A Currency Again NY U.S. Bankruptcy Court Rules MERS’s Business Model Is Illegal. Here is a quote: “United States Bankruptcy Judge Robert Grossman has ruled that MERS’s …

Several SurvivalBlog readers sent this: Euro zone finance ministers agreed a 130-billion-euro ($172 billion) rescue for Greece on Tuesday to avert an imminent chaotic default after forcing Athens to commit to unpopular cuts and private bondholders to take bigger losses. G.G. flagged this: Congrats, US Government: You’re Scaring Web Businesses Into Moving Out Of The US. (SurvivalBlog’s recent server migration to Sweden is just one small example.) Over at Whiskey & Gunpowder: Gather ye nickels while ye may… Steve in Georgia sent this: Iranians desperate as dark economic clouds gather Items from The Economatrix: Editorial:  A Sand-Castle Recovery Preparing For …

Michael W. sent: Alan Simpson: Financial markets will turn on U.S. – Freeland File (This is Part 4 of a longer interview–all worth watching.) Does the Fed Print Money? Of Course! Jim Bianco Calls It “Fraud, Counterfeiting” Items from The Economatrix: Oil Set For Biggest 2012 Weekly Gain Credit Suisse The Sequel:  “Probability Of The Largest Disorderly Default Loss In History On March 20 Has Increased Gold Demand Hits New Records As Europeans Stockpile Harvey Organ: MF Global Customers will not receive their money

Greece “Officially Defaults” March 23, Banks Close. Gold Prices: Central Bank Gold-Buying Increases By 500% Tim R. sent this: No Euro, No Cry: Swedish krona versus cash chaos Items from The Economatrix: Oil At 5-Week High At $102 Barrel Gold Fire Sale International Currencies Increasingly Rejected In The Face Of Inflation Many Of You Will Not Believe Some Of The Things Americans Are Doing To Survive

John Stossel: We are on the road to bankruptcy As The World Revolving Door Turns: Former Obama official’s revolving door leads to hedge-fund defense project Reader Tracy A. suggested this commentary from Mish Shedlock: Obama Wants Cheaper Pennies and Nickels; Why Not Do Away With Both [JWR’s Comment: My solution would be to 1.) Balance the Federal budget and 2.) Revalue the U.S. Dollar, knocking off two zeros, and 3.) Begin minting real silver coinage again. But sadly, that probably won’t happen in my lifetime.] How Could Silver Short Sellers Cover Their Positions? (Thanks to Diana for the link.) Tyler …

G.G. sent us this: The Upside of Government Default Reader G.P. sent this from The Slog: A timetable for Greek Default? Courtesy of Michael W.: Dollar Gets No Respect Despite Economic Gains. JWR’s Comment: Genuine money is made of silver or gold. And honest paper money substitutes are redeemable on demand for silver or gold coinage. Anything else is trash. Thus, all of the world’s fiat paper currencies are trash. Some of them are just trashier than others. I would characterize the U.S. Federal Reserve Note as like an aging, gap-toothed syphilitic harlot that is dressed in shabby green dress …