Just 18 Shopping Days until Christmas,.  Only 7 to Channuka, which is Dec. 14th.  Most important: Only 24-days to load in champagne ahead of New Year’s Eve. Which to us?  Gender-questionable.  (Everyone’s balls drop…) [rimshot] Fact4Actition:  BTR This Week? Fact: Next week delivers a rare triple punch of economic data — U.S. Inflation (CPI), Employment … Read More

This is the time of the year when men tend to hurt themselves.  Lifting more than they should. Later on today, Elaine and I will be moving a new 85″ TV into position.  Sure, we MIGHT have called in (neighbors) to help.  But where is the challenge in that? But it gets me to a … Read More

Guilty as charged! I tend to overthink things especially when new technology is involved.  But it’s a useful frontpiece to our deeper work (investing, running a bulletproof life, etc.) to sit back for a minute and wonder what’s all this “Change” stuff about. It’s especially hard for people who are older – because of something … Read More

Yeah, been up since the wee hours today – with a ton of AI work in the predawn dark. News flows are tepid, markets still nibbling rumors higher, ahead of Fed week. Leaving us a “workable weekend” with necessary deliverables.  While over in our AI lab, a serious scolding and time-out for Grok. But the … Read More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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