Tag: Savings

Ep. 532 – No Savings, No Problem?
The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 532 - No Savings, No Problem?
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The financial situation for many Americans and their families were in dire straits even prior to Covid-19 and all of the subsequent ill-effects. However, we must note that the broader economy was weakening before the pandemic arrived. So, with the reality of restrictions and lockdowns, this has placed further strains on household finances. Although, it must also be noted that in a typical recession or economic downturn, it is common for incomes to decline. Yet, due to the passage of the Nobody CARES Act and other fiscal and monetary measures, incomes in aggregate actually increased. It must be stressed that this was not the result of productive economic measures, but rather due to inflationary policies – printing money and throwing it into the system in various ways. This is not free and it will prove to be extremely expensive. It will come at the cost of suffering the affects of inflation and with it the loss of savings and purchasing power.

In today’s podcast we highlight a survey that was conducted in the late summer of 2020 that focused on savings in the US. This survey can serve as a timely benchmark as it was conducted during the ongoing pandemic restrictions, but also overlaps some of the fiscal and monetary policies that were implemented. We refer you to the link above to read the article that discusses the findings, yet we will mention a few key points. The median savings balance is $3,500 and the average is $26,619 according to the 2,000 survey respondents. The article also notes that 39 percent of Americans do not have enough money saved to cover a $400 emergency. Further, with respect to retirement, nearly 50 percent of families do not have anything saved for retirement. In what is supposed to be the wealthiest and most prosperous nation on Earth, it sure looks more like a tale of two cities.

It is such inequality that has driven us to economic, political, and social decay and decline. This reality exists due to the flawed and fraudulent fiscal and monetary policies that have been enacted for decades and continue to be implemented on an even larger scale. No proactive measures have been taken nor proper reactive measures. Therefore, the net result will be that the system continues onward on its faulty path until exhaustion. This will end in blood and tears around the globe. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Jobs #Savings #Markets #Liberty #USA #Gold #Silver #Inflation #Recession #Depression #Recession #Depression #EndTheFed #bananarepublic #FireCongress

Ep. 529 – Jobs Slide, Market Highs
The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 529 - Jobs Slide, Market Highs
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While the initial jobless claims figure came in better than expected, 779,000 remains stubbornly high. This is still well north of the 650,000 figure seen during the depths of the GFC. Since the restrictions and lockdowns, we have not seen a weekly jobless claims figure below 700,000 – almost a full year ago. This has been truly destructive and devastating. For the week ending 16 January, 17.8 million Americans continue to claim some form of unemployment insurance.

Despite these dizzying jobless numbers, the stock market’s major indexes all hit new closing highs. This has become par for the course with a deteriorating jobs markets and yet equity markets continue to rally. Just last week, amidst the trading frenzy in a handful of stocks, we also witnessed the worst week for Wall Street since last October. Yet fast forward only one week, and we are at new all-time highs. The equity markets remain well disconnected from the underlying economy. This is a central banker’s world for the time being and liquidity rules the roost. There will come a day of reckoning due to market forces that are greater than all central banks and governments, and when this occurs, it will be truly devastating and historical.

Speaking of liquidity, the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet remains near all-time highs around $7.4 trillion. The Kapital News believes this figure will near or exceed $10 trillion by the end of this year. M1 money stock hit a new all-time high and now stands at $6.9 trillion, representing a week-over-week increase of nearly $150 billion. Perhaps this is the accelerant for the markets moving higher? M2 saw a slight reduction week-over-week, but remains well within all-time highs that were hit last week.

Lastly, government regulators joined forces today to discuss last week’s market mayhem in GameStop Corp, AMC Entertainment, and others to determine its cause and if necessary take action. What these actions will be is for anyone to guess, but it should be understood that the authorities are more likely than not going to implement some sort of action. Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, needed to receive a waiver from the Treasury Department’s ethics office, due to the fact that Secretary Yellen received $700,000 from hedge fund Citadel LLC, for a speaking engagement, following her departure from the Federal Reserve. Citadel is front and center with last week’s episode as they are one of the largest customers of online brokerage and trading app, Robinhood. This is the fox running the henhouse and then once the hens go missing, the fox and his buddies conduct the investigation. Our markets are broken and have been for quite awhile and the policy measures underway now and the regulations about to come down the pike, are not the solutions. In fact, they are a major part of the problem. The January jobs report will be released tomorrow morning. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Jobs #Markets #Debt #Inflation #Gold #Silver #USA #Liberty #Revolution #bananarepublic #EndTheFed #Recession #Depression #Bailouts #Protests #FireCongress

Ep. 513 – Impeached Again + Savings Stolen
The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 513 - Impeached Again + Savings Stolen
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The House of Representatives voted today to impeach President Donald J. Trump for the second time. The vote was 232-197. This makes President Trump the first and only President to have been impeached twice, and this occurred within one term in office. This speaks volumes with respect to the President’s actions and behaviors and to the animus that exists within the Democratic party towards the President. This is a reflection of the country. We the people vote these characters into office, so we cannot be surprised that our government is as divided as the people of this country. Next steps in the process is for there to be a trial in the Senate and then a vote to acquit or convict. With the upcoming inauguration only one week away, there is really no plausible way that the Senate can manage a full trial within this timeframe. Therefore, it is very likely that the trial will take place after Trump is out of office. This will be another first, as there has never been an impeachment trial of a President after he has left office. This, plus the fact that the President has been impeached, is likely to increase the volume, frustration, and anger of many Trump’s supporters, and perhaps others who are tired of all the politics. All 50 states and Washington, DC are on high alert against the possibility of violent riots. The US Capitol is currently surrounded by fences. This is such a tragic sight to see and is more akin to a third world banana republic as opposed to the nation that is supposed to be the beacon of democracy and self-governance.

News came across the wires this evening that the incoming Biden administration is looking to send to Congress a $2T spending bill. Take the $900 billion bill that was just passed, in conjunction with the $1.4 trillion spending bill, and we are already looking at $4.3T in spending! This is just getting started. This first bill is likely focused on more “stimulus” checks and other Covid-19 relief. Other bills will come that address environmental and healthcare concerns, amongst others. This is ridiculous and it is robbery. The government does not have the money and so more deficits, debt, borrowing, and printing must ensue. This is all serves to destroy savings and one’s purchasing power. As highlighted by usdebtclock.org, average savings per family currently stands around $28,500. Fast-forward four years from now and this figures falls to $1,500! And this is the average, meaning that this figure is highly skewed by those in the upper income brackets that actually hold most of the savings. Many Americans actually have a negative savings rate, meaning that they are in debt on a net-net basis. This scenario is 100 percent predictable, yet this is what is likely to unfold. It does not have to, but then again, we have the same people in Congress. So how can anyone truly be surprised by these outcomes? Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Debt #Savings #Jobs #Bailouts #USA #Vote #Impeachment #Liberty #Revolution #EndTheFed #BananaRepublic #Inflation #Gold #Silver

Ep. 512 – Another Impeachment + Debt Craziness
The Kapital News
The Kapital News
Ep. 512 - Another Impeachment + Debt Craziness
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With only a week left to go until a change in administrations, the House of Representatives is moving forward with a vote on impeachment. This time, however, there will be Republicans joining in to vote, yes. If impeached again, Trump will be the first President to have been impeached twice. This action comes on the back of last week’s protests at the US Capitol that turned violent and led to some deaths and injuries. There is a lot of political calculus on both sides of the aisle as to whether or not impeachment is a good idea. There are valid arguments on both sides – for and against. But it must be understood that the most loyal of Trump supporters will see this as another assault on the President and on them as well. This will likely result in further protests and violence across the country. However, the threat of violence is not an excuse to not do something if it serves the purpose of justice and upholding the rule of law. Regardless as to which side wins out, the hypocrisy from both parties is thick enough to cut with a knife and they should all resign #FireCongress. The division will get worse before it gets better.

In the latter half of today’s discussion we look once again at the US debt clock to see where we are now and where we will be four years from now. Their analysis assumes current rates for all revenues and expenses. Suffice to say we are on an unsustainable path and things are likely going to get worse. The real effects of such policies that are and have led us to this economic, political, and societal ruin, may best be seen when it is shown that savings per family today is around $28,000. In January of 2025, this figure drops to around $1,500! This is theft, this is taxation, this is inflation, this is a lack and loss of opportunities and future prosperity. There is no free lunch and things that may appear “good” now are coming at the expense of the future. This is only the beginning. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Jobs #Impeachment #Vote #USA #Liberty #Revolution #Debt #EndTheFed #BananaRepublic #Inflation