Economics and Investing:

Rick Moran: ‘We are looking straight into the face of a Great Depression’ G.G. sent this news from England: Number of men aged 25-34 living with their parents rockets to 18.6 per cent, the highest level since 1960 At The Daily Bell: Der Spiegel: ‘Consensus Is Growing’ for ECB and IMF Takeover of Euro-Crisis. (And who will provide the support for the IMF? Most likely us–American taxpayers.) Jason Hommel: The Dollar is Done – Deal with It Barclays Says Italy Is Finished: “Mathematically Beyond Point Of No Return” (Thanks to John R. for the link.)) Items from The Economatrix: Gold …




Economics and Investing:

Peter Schiff: Brace for “Abrupt” Dollar Collapse AmEx (American Expat) sent this: Nearly 29% of mortgaged homes underwater, report finds The Entire Global Economy is at The Mercy of Tiny Greece? Items from The Economatrix: Bank Exodus From Euro Zone Sovereign Debt Quickens Consumer Borrowing Up, But Credit Card Use is Down UPS Expects 6% Rise in Holiday Shipments Senate Aims Help at Jobless Vets, Contractors




Economics and Investing:

Chris M. suggested this article: The Shadow Superpower–Forget China: the $10 trillion global black market is the world’s fastest growing economy — and its future. Reader A.N. sent this: US wealth gap between young and old is widest ever Also from A.N.: 7-in-10 Blame Economy for Hiring Freeze John R. liked this one: The Municipal Bond Market Is Imploding Items from The Economatrix: Greece’s Prime Minister Survives Confidence Vote “Gigantic Bank Run” Coming, Says Nobel Prize Winner Fed-up Consumers Planning for “Bank Transfer Day” Banks Closed In Nebraska, Utah; Total 2011 Failures 87




Economics and Investing:

Some Words of Advice From Kyle Bass (Guns, Gold, and Nickels–He is definitely our kinda guy.) Charles Hugh Smith chimes in, with guest post over at Zero Hedge: The Collapse Of Our Corrupt, Predatory, Pathological Financial System Is Necessary And Positive. (Thanks to L.M.W. for the link.) Super Committee Can Keep the Change: Dollar Coin Proposal Lacks Momentum Items from The Economatrix: German Economists On Greek Referendum:  “The Euro Zone Could Face Ruin” Federal Reserve Lowers Outlook for US Growth BofA Forecloses on Home Destroyed By Ike




Economics and Investing:

Liquidity crunch, ahead? CME increases margin call; markets will be under pressure. (Thanks to C.D.V. for the link.) Greek Tragedy, Act II: Der Bild reports that some businesses are getting ready for reintroduction of the Greek Drachma. TUI rechnet schon in Drachmen: PLAN B WIRD AUCH IM FINANZMINISTERIUM BEREITS BESPROCHEN. For non-German readers, here is a rudimentary translation. This might not be “Das Ende der Welt, wie wir sie kennen.” But it might be The End of the Euro As We Know It.(Thanks to S.B. in Holland for the link.) Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) recommended this over …




Economics and Investing:

SurvivalBlog’s G.G. flagged this: Many States Already Worried About Running Short The descent into the abyss continues: Unable to pay bill, Michigan city turns off lights K.A.F. sent this: Guatemala’s trash ‘miners’ risk lives to find gold Charley S. forwarded this link: ‘He has a right to speak,’ said the cop to the banker Items from The Economatrix: Economy Picks Up But Hiring Outlook Stays Cloudy Retailers Report Solid Gains In October Greece In Turmoil Over Debt Plan, Markets In Limbo Oil Prices Rise On More Encouraging Economic News




Economics and Investing:

SurvivalBlog’s G.G. flagged this: Yes, There Will Be a Student Loan Bailout M.A. sent this from over at SHTFPlan: They’re Trying to Fool You Into Believing That Inflation Is Not a Problem S.B. recommended this by Charles Hugh Smith: Democracy Is Tolerated Until It Threatens Global Markets. Yishai sent this: Hoard Peanut Butter as Prices Soar: Four Stocks to Benefit Items from The Economatrix: Central Banks Top Up Gold Reserves 19 Facts About the Deindustrialization of America that Will Make You Weep Unemployment and Crime




Prepping For Death, by J.D.A.

Preparing for death is probably not the usual topic discussed on this board, but a recent illness in my family has put this issue squarely in my face.   It is my hope that all reading this blog will live many more years and will leave this earth either via the Rapture or natural causes at a ripe old age. That being said, death is something we have to consider in our plans.  I approach this topic from two angles: 1) losing a loved one in a non-Schumer situation, 2) losing a loved one in a Schumeresque situation.  I hope to …




The Dexia Bank Collapse Underscores the Fragility of the Global Credit Market and Derivatives

A major bank failure in Europe that began in September didn’t get much press coverage here in the United States. But is bears special mention, because it underscores the fragility of the global credit market and credit default swap derivatives. A victim of the ongoing Greek Tragedy, the Franco-Belgian Dexia Bank failed last month. It had to be bailed out by $6 billion from France and Belgium, and Luxembourg. Inevitably, those bailouts are backed by the “full faith and credit” of their respective governments. Read: French, Belgian, and Luxembourgian taxpayers. Dexia was formed in 1996 when the Belgian Crédit Communal …




Economics and Investing:

Day of reckoning for shadow inventory and distressed properties – 40 percent of properties in foreclosure have not made a payment in two years or more. Bill Fleckenstein interviewed about gold and the European credit debacle. (Thanks to J. McC. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Trucks, SUVs Power Strong Auto Sales in October No Major Fed Moves Expected Despite Europe Fears Factory Activity Slows as Economy Stays Sluggish Bill Whittle has some biting commentary on the “rich” and “poor” in America.




Economics and Investing:

G.G. sent this for the I-Told-You-So Department: Home prices heading for triple-dip. Mark you calendar for June, 2022. That might be a reasonable date for price recovery, barring a mass currency inflation. But even that of course wouldn’t be a genuine market recovery, when gauged in real home values (adjusted for inflation). Don’t miss this great piece by Thomas L. Friedman: Did You Hear the One About the Bankers? (Thank to Jed F. for the link.) Ben S. sent this: The Inflation Shock and the Fall Melt-Up of 2011 Despite Debt Deal, Europe May Slide into Recession John R. sent …




Economics and Investing:

The New American magazine cites my novel “Patriots” in a recent article on hyperinflation. More derivatives news: Credit-Default Swap Risk Bomb Is Wired to Explode: Mark Buchanan. (Thanks to BigTex for the link.) Bob S. spotted this: USDA economic research say CPI of food price to rise 3.5% – 4% in 2011. Reader AmEx (American Expatriate) was the first of several readers to send this: Three Men Arrested In Nickel Theft At Local Steel Plant Meanwhile, some sad news from England: Thieves desecrating memorials to our war heroes every other day as metal plaques and statues are being sold for …




Economics and Investing:

Ol’ Remus has posted some great observations on the coming hyperinflation Items from The Economatrix: Economy Grew 2.5% in Q3 as Consumers Rebound Rate On 30-year Fixed Mortgage Falls to 4.10% But meanwhile, we read: Contracts to Buy Homes Fell 4.6% in September. (Let’s face it: The real estate market will be broken for at least 10 years.) BNY Mellon Slaps Fee on Some Depositors The Great Depression 80 Years Later:  Same Culprits, Same Rage Eurozone “Collapsed,” Euro to Vanish FinansInvest CEO Says Gold, Silver and Fraudulent Investor Traps




Economics and Investing:

Wayne G. sent this: Consumer Confidence Tumbles, Home Prices Stagnate Another flagged by veteran SurvivalBlog contributior G.G: All American Bank Fails; 2011 Tally at 85 RBS found this one: Americans ‘Hooked on Government’ as Record Number Get Benefits (Businessweek) Items from The Economatrix: Poll:  Many Boomers Staying Put Amid Bad Economy New-home Sales Tick Up as Builders Slash Prices Savers Protect Your Deposits from Bankrupting Banks and Quantitative Inflation Tomorrow’s EU Summit Meeting Cancelled; Gold and Silver Skyrocket on News We Are Saved Again By More Paper Injection / Gold And Silver Rebound To Score Higher Levels GDP Grew 2.5%, …




Economics and Investing:

G.G. sent a piece by Andy Lees: Quantitative Easing!!! Dollar Decline in Full Swing in Risk-On Environment Data suggests inflation on the way. (Thanks to B.B. for the link.) Also from G.G.: Inflation Concerns Go Beyond Rise in Consumer Price Index File under “Fragile Global Supply Chain”: Thai Floods Reach Toyota Plants in Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Ontario Items from The Economatrix: Weiss Final Warning to All Investors: Get All or Most of Your Money Out of Danger Immediately… Silver Waits To Begin Break-out Gold Market Update Inflation Up Globally Claims For Unemployment Aid Dip But Remain High Stocks Turn …