Although the markets are continuing to present “normalcy bias” numbers, the emerging – and long-expected – reality around here is that Nassim Taleb’s book “Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (Incerto)” was less than half-right. It’s a position I took a good number of years ago.  Mentioned on the Peoplenomics side.  But, mostly I shut-up when … Read More

We spend an exceptional amount of time focusing on the Future around here. With good reason.  Because the art of making money (or, at least losing as little as possible) is predicated on getting “some notion or aspect of Future” right.  And then making meaningful bets on it. Are there some “unconventional” things looming in … Read More

We have gone from a low-interest Monday to a “Things get interesting Tuesday” with events over the past 24.  Let’s begin the morning roll with: Trade Wreck People – mainly being sheep – are “conditioned” to thinking charts that go UP are telling us good news.  But when comes to the Trade deficit, no, they … Read More

Monday’s news flow sucks.  But that doesn’t mean we just sit around with our morning “cuppa” and idly pass the time. Instead, I pass the time arguing with myself over how much of my economic viewpoint I should keep for Peoplenomics readers and how much could be safely “teased” in public. Here’s the Answer A single … Read More

Yessir: ShopTalk Sunday.  As we await the opening of the “crooked casino”  now part-owned by the Federal Reserve (as presumably you as a taxbleeder), we go to our Person Caves to Create. “Directions Are Wrong” Added a few more items to the stores this week. Which meant assembling another 48 X 14 x 80 inch … Read More

While we don’t expect global war this weekend, there’s plenty of reason to be concerned with the balance of the year.  We ponder the global rise of “strongman socialism” and where we might be by year’s end. A deep look at our Aggregate Index charts, as well.  Since charts often do hold predictive content – … Read More

Early market futures were pointing to a down opening.  But is that really so bad? Employment Cost Index Just out: Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.9 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending in March 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries increased 1.0 percent and benefit costs … Read More

The Second Depression started, near as we can figure, in March of 2020.  That’s when the markets tanked and the Fed became the biggest inflator of paper assets – ever. In fact, the tip-off that the U.S. Economy is still on a ventilator may be clearly seen by anyone with half a brain.  Though even … Read More

Even with inflation coming, if you have even grocery money, you can hedge. We tackle some absurdities are we review some of the obvious untruths and lies about Money.  These are programmed into us from a very young age. The good news is that with a minimum of effort, you can do your own “de-programming” … Read More

Just out from Case-Shiller/S&P/CoreLogic: “YEAR-OVER-YEAR The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, reported a 12.0% annual gain in February, up from 11.2% in the previous month. The 10-City Composite annual increase came in at 11.7%, up from 10.9% in the previous month. The 20-City Composite posted … Read More

More coming for subscribers to our Peoplenomics.com site tomorrow.  But if you want to “sense future” a bit, roll with this CNBC video via MSN which look at what roaring commodity prices may bring. A bit of strategy discussion tomorrow. Meanwhile, though, the Biden stock market is the strongest opening role since Dwight Eisenhower took … Read More

“This here is what’cha call a “target rich environment” to kick-off the week. Early Futures Don’t Tell The Dow Futures were up 8,, the S&P down 4-1/2 and the NASDAQ down 40.  But with better’n two-hours to the open.  Useless since no consensus there. This week (Palm Sunday week in Orthodox, Easter Sunday next weekend) … Read More

We used to spend $600+ per year on pest control.  Now?  Less than $150 and a little bit of time. Pest Control and Time This is a dandy example of the UrbanSurvival philosophy in action:  Select the lowest cost Vendor.  And remember, you can be the Vendor! Begin by remembering that your time is worth something. You … Read More