What Economic Growth?

Donald Trump has another problem besides Mueller fallout to worry about.  This morning we look at the major metrics of supposed “economic growth” and wonder like the old burger-joint commercial asked “Where’s the beef?” After some headlines and our analysis of the markets which, in our view, at near (or at) a critical turning point … Read More

Coping: Planting Your “Time Garden”

Although there has been a small improvement in curriculum with all the talk in education about STEM (science, tech, engineering and math), many of the major concepts in Life – traditionally passed down by two parents and a set of grand parents – has blown-up. Not that there is much anyone can do about it:  … Read More

Since Markets Are Closed…

It this Joe Brandt’s time?  Explaining this takes a bit, but since it’s a semi-holiday, read on…. This being Good Friday, the stock and bond markets (US) are closed.  But, that doesn’t mean they aren’t just interesting as all get-out. The reason is the grand historical rhyme continues.  Specifically, one which we track comparing 1929 … Read More

Bigger Fish Than Mueller: Virtuous Cycle Demise

Seems like everyone, especially the big “snooze papers” are all over the Mueller investigation as the Big Story of the day. Got news for you:  It’s not. The bigger problem is sorting out what goes on when the present “virtuous cycle” comes grinding to a halt. OK, what’s a “virtuous cycle” anyway? If you begin … Read More

Where’s the Dilithium?

The mythical power-source from Star Trek is a marvelous metaphor for the long-range investor.  While we may not live to see it, both our middle age and Millennial subscribers may benefit from borrowing some Spock-like thinking processes which we outline this morning. So, as soon as we’re done with a few headlines and breaking news … Read More

Prepping: “Stuffing-proof” Your Email

No, I don’t talk much about my role in the cyber-insurance world.  But, I have become much more informed than most and I want you to do one simple thing for me: “Stuffing-proof Your Email” Data breaches are happening at an ever-increasing rate.  We (the people I work with) anticipate huge growth in the number … Read More

Are Trade Talks and Border Problems Linked?

IN a word:  Maybe. This morning’s economic musing came to me while taking my morning dose of 660 nm near-infrared light.  The “taking of light” – which I first described for Peoplenomics subscribers in 2016 as a potential means of healing a wide spectrum of conditions – is not to be taken (pardoning the pun … Read More

Monday at “The Grind – Chasing “The Bag”

There will, no doubt, be some readers who won’t track. But life is [again/still] about making money and having fun. While holding to a “positive mental attitude.” The reason we do this?  Lingo ‘d rap reveals all: You gotta chase “the bag” You gotta flip “the bag” You gotta tumble “the bag” And don’t fumble … Read More

Table of Alt. Futures

Are we toping or readying for new highs?  Since I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about judgments lately – and the whole process behind them (whether good or bad), we’re going to make some judgments today about the pending future. First, though, a lot at some key headlines and then we’ll eye the future … Read More

Prepping: Being Judgmental is Good

A Short Course on Judgment As investors, and preppers, we are called on, dozens of times per day to make decisions about whether to “hold ‘em or fold ‘em.” Or, in the prepping context, “What’s the next shoe to drop likely to be?” What makes the difference between a successful survivor or investor and a … Read More

Import Prices, Future Forecast

First thing out of the hopper today is the import prices report.  The reason we watch this one so closely is that America has become more and most distanced from self-sufficiency. Because so much of our life is “made elsewhere” watching import prices will often times gives you a good sense of what to anticipate … Read More

World on a Short Social Fuse

Aye, roger that.  To the idea that the 71.916 year war/social cycle could actually be an 80-year cycle. So run this past your first cup this morning: U.S. declared itself in 1776.  But a closer date would be 1780.  By then, it was becoming clear that we were on the hard path to independence. Now … Read More

Renting Your Life, II

What does Elaine’s mink jacket have to do with government?  The link is subtle, but important. Transactional economics not monetary. Elaine owns the mink. Government owns us all.  Today, we follow the 250-year trend towards “renting your life.”  It’s a movement that has been gaining ground a lot lately.  That’s because absent new tech breakthroughs, … Read More