JTR. BTR. F4A, and a Decoder Ring

Decoding Thursday JTR= Jobs, Trade, Rumors BTR = Buy The Rumor F4A = Fact for Action Fact For Action Fact: December 3, 2025, ADP reported U.S. private employers cut 32,000 jobs — the third drop in four months — surprising economists expecting gains. So what: A weakening labor market means many households could face tighter … Read More

The Unspoken Prepping Problem in Plain Sight

Our recent two-part “impact” series has uncovered one of the biggest prepping problems in the world — a subject that’s rarely discussed outside niche circles of disaster recovery planners. In fact, up until recently, it was largely ignored in mainstream discussions. Given the volatility of federal budgets lately, I think you can guess how well … Read More

Markets Go STMR, Glitter Dips, BitJumps, Tech-forward Old

It’s the “day after” Cyber Monday. At least early, the pretense of normal shows up before lunch. Take the meeting.  Could be a short visit.  As we’ll explain. Cynic’s Agenda STMR probably means “short-term manic rally.” Glitter might hint gold is taking a comp time day, but silver fundies rock. BTC has “debrinked itself” but just … Read More

BTC Sliders, Short Instincts Pay, Winter Uniform

We are braced for Cyber Monday with a cheap 86-inch Q-type TV landing today. Amazon (here) and credit card burns being somewhat synonymous. We are between an inflationary “hard place” and trying our damnedest to “rock on…” Morning Agenda My friend the Economic Fractalist has nailed it – so we’re both running nailing guns around this … Read More

ShopTalk Sunday: Tool Slut’s Buying Calendar

Yeah… I are one.  But I ain’t stupid about it.  Allow me to present an actually useful report.  This is the highly-useful companion to our “The AC7X Ham Radio Tube-type Gear Addict’s Calendar.” Seasonal Tool-Buying Master Guide January – Early March (Top Window #1)Holiday bills and tax prep hit. People unload tools for cash flow. Pawnshops … Read More

Showdown Week Ahead

ChartPack today offers the concept of “trendencies.”  Useful when trying to use that tryptophan-laced noodle to skin some cash off Old Man Market. We also prepare for the end of year rituals here:  Tax Planning and financial positions in 2026. Not down into the nitty-gritty – but a good weekend to sketch out the process … Read More

ATR 2025: Magical Leftovers — The SST Lives On

By Thanksgiving tradition (and by reader demand), here comes the annual update to the SST Sandwich / Hot Brown Leftovers Special, now entering something like the eleventh geological era of its evolution. This year’s version arrives with fresh field notes from the Ranch — and new tech in the kitchen. First, the bird report: George … Read More

BFD Arrives. Martket Rally on Fumes?

We hope you had a kick-ass Turkey and have put on the “special lotion” to minimize Credit Card Burn as the IED’s (improvised expensive deals) are going on all over the Edges of screens already… Today’s Agenda: We need a “deal review” and to remind Sunday is our ShopTalk Sunday Tool Slut Bargain Calendar. Market is … Read More

GTO (George Turkey Operations) Then BFO

GM introduced the GTO to the mass market in 1963 based on the Tempest lightweight chassis. After 62 years of of “progress” I still haven’t got one. And GTO means George’s Turkey Operations (or “get turkey over” is you get the working end).  BFO?  Black Friday Operations.  (Customary ad link here) Bag Warning Do not … Read More

The Northern Impact Report

Ah, Earth being smacked by an asteroid – why it’s perfect dinner table fare for tomorrow.  Except, of course, that Earth could be the Turkey. See, this problem keeps coming into focus, Lurch by lurch. But when the timeline seems to be Biblical to Nostradamus, to linguistics, to remote viewing?  Yeah… a concern, no doubt. … Read More

Housing Updated

Just out from Case-Shiller/S&P latest housing prices: Year-Over-Year The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, reported a 1.3% annual gain in September, down from 1.4% the previous month. The 10-City Composite annual increase came in at 2.0%, down from 2.1%the previous month. The 20-City Composite posted … Read More

Holiday Rally Eyed, A Senator Steps in It, and AI Comes to Dinner

Two Agendas are running:  The Home Agenda and the Life/Finance/Greed Agenda.  this is a two-part report because Housing Prices are due out shortly. Home Agenda Other than HELOC paperwork, or a stick-up on the way home, here’s the layout: Thanksgiving ? Thursday Black Friday ? Friday Weekend lull / cleanup ? Sat–Sun Cyber Monday ? … Read More

Casino Lines and the R-Value of Bacon

Monday comes for us all.  And sometimes, change comes with it. QHA (Quick Hits & Agenda) Casino doors open on Wall St. shortly – we’ll do some nose counting. Big buzz on possible peace between Russia and Ukraine – but we have concerns. Click fever overcomes personal savings plans this week – but we have … Read More