Economics & Investing For Preppers

In place of my usual Monday Economics & Investing fare, I’m re-posting some information that dates back to the early days of SurvivalBlog: October of 2005.  I thought that updating and reposting this post would be particularly apropos, since I recently switched to pricing my Elk Creek Company inventory to Pre-1965 silver coin terms. On Gold, Silver, and Barter I am often asked in e-mails about gold and silver coins and their value, both in the present day and their eventual worth (post-TEOTWAWKI) for barter purposes. The basic unit of measure for most of us that are in preparedness circles …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at The Gathering Financial Storm of Inflation. (See the Inflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: First up, over at MarketWatch: Why Basel III regulations are poised to shake up the gold market. A quote: “Under the new regime, physical, or allocated, gold, like bars and coins, will be reclassified from a …




June in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance, and the factors that affected gold prices. What Did Gold Do in June? May was the best month for gold since July 2020. June, not so much. Gold gained 7.8% in May, which brought year-to-date returns back in the green. June took nearly all that back, falling from $1,905 on June 1 to a 10-week low of $1761 to end the month. June suffered the worst monthly drop in gold prices since 2016. …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we ponder where the price of Bitcoin will bottom. (See the Forex & Cryptos section.) Precious Metals: Interview: The Biggest Buyer of Silver on Earth 2021. o  o  o Stefan Gleason: Central Banks to Keep Buying Gold. Economy & Finance: At the CBS News web site: What’s behind the push for a …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at industry perspectives on the ongoing ammunition shortage. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Fed Musings About Distant Interest Rate Hikes Spook Metals Markets o  o  o Inflation And Gold In The 1970s  Vs. Today’s Situation. o  o  o A good primer: Coins vs Bars – Expert Tips on …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at market reactions to recent Federal Reserve signals. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Why is gold down nearly $100 after Fed shakes up markets? o  o  o Neils Christensen: Panic selling in gold could last a little longer as Wall Street turns bearish on gold, but many look …




How Amazon Destroyed American Book Publishing

Most SurvivalBlog readers are aware that I’ve been an outspoken critic of Amazon.com’s business practices, their leftist agenda, and their blatant censorship. I even went so far as to very publicly resign from the Amazon Associates program. I did so on principle, knowing that it would cost me nearly $30,000 per year in sales commissions. But I didn’t hesitate, because I knew that it was the right thing to do. In this article, I will lay out some of the ways that Amazon has destroyed American book publishing, in their quest for monopolistic dominance. The Flood of Schlock Books To …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at America’s aging cars and trucks. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: Gold and silver both dipped on Wednesday and Thursday (June 16-17, 2021) as traders responded to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s remarks. Gold’s 4% dip marks a good buying opportunity.  In percentage terms, silver has dipped more than …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the deepening US budget deficit. Precious Metals: Adrian Day: What Is Driving Gold? o  o  o Gold price at ‘steep discount’ vs. crude oil: $2,000 gold will be breached – Bloomberg Intelligence o  o  o Arkadiusz Sieroń: Will Gold Rally Continue In The Upcoming Months? Economy & Finance: Getting Gold …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the likelihood of high inflation ahead. Precious Metals: Arkadiusz Sieroń: US Government Stimulus Went Wrong. How Will Gold React? o  o  o 70s-style inflation: Biggest risk is ‘invisible wealth destruction,’ gold price going to $20K this decade. o  o  o This piece has an interesting observation on the prospects …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at continuing risks in the global derivatives market. (See the Derivatives section.) Precious Metals: We’ll start out with this piece by Christopher Aaron: Silver Price Forecast: Breakout Ahead This Fall. o  o  o Gold Seems Stuck At $1900. Are Inflationary Fears Exaggerated? Economy & Finance: Biden and the Fed Are …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the manifold signs of rising general price inflation, with postage stamps as the poster child. (See the Inflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: On June 2nd, it was reported: Gold futures hold above $1,900 as spot gold trades just below at $1,899.30 But then on June 3rd, both gold and …




May 2021 in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance, and the factors that affected gold prices. What Did Gold Do in May? Gold started the month with a morning run at $1,800, being brought up short at $1,799.20 an ounce before settling lower. At the same time, silver briefly tagged the $27 mark. Things trended higher for the remainder of the month. Gold made sustained breaks above the $1,800 mark on the 6th, the $1,850 mark on the 17th, and the $1,875 …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at Joe Biden’s “Sugar High” Economy. (See the Economy & Finance section.) Precious Metals: World’s Biggest Platinum Miner Makes Another Bold Call on Prices. o  o  o Golds gains over $100 this month. Economy & Finance: At Zero Hedge: Biden Unveils $6 Trillion Budget That Will Raise Federal Spending To Highest …




Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at how second-hand car prices are soaring. (See the Tangibles Investing section.) Precious Metals: U.S. Congressman Seeks Full Audit Of America’s Gold Reserves. o  o  o Some interesting history, from Vince Lanci: Gold is Money. Silver is More. Economy & Finance: Here’s what’s in Republicans’ new $928 billion infrastructure counterproposal. …