“Inflation” is a word that makes many people uneasy. Yet it’s a normal aspect of the economy that affects our purchasing power—and the impact of inflation can be felt beyond the monthly grocery bill or at the gas pump. Inflation can also have an effect on a person’s long-term wealth. Sometimes inflation increases at a...
I’m the sort of person who prefers to act rather than react—especially when it comes to protecting myself and my family against an uncertain future. Take your car, for example. Would you rather have a good insurance policy before or after you get into an accident? The same goes for my financial portfolio. Even when times are good, I’m...
As someone who consumes a lot of financial news, I understand how it can often feel like we, as portfolio owners, are never allowed to let our guard down. For example, on June 13, 2023, Reuters reported that U.S. Bancorp CEO Andy Cecere foresees a “moderate” recession of the United States, and on June 12, 2023, Reuters reported,...
One of the topics I’ve tried to bring to our clients’ attention is the state of liquidity in our monetary system. Simply put, financial institutions like to use U.S. Treasurys as collateral when loaning money to one another, and when the availability of certain Treasurys shrinks, some financial institutions can have a harder time...
Demand Reached a Record High Last Year. What about 2023? AUSTIN, Texas, June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Central banks across the world have been purchasing gold at record -high volumes, according to data sourced by the World Gold Council. Many of these banks have traditionally held large amounts of U.S. dollars in their reserves. Countries...
As we near a potential deal regarding the federal debt ceiling, some Americans are breathing a sigh of relief. The chances of our nation defaulting on its debts have been lowered, at least for now. But inflation continues to impact our wallets, and we’re faced with an important question: Even if the debt ceiling is suspended, what will...
While the hot real estate market of the last few years has cooled, many would-be younger homebuyers continue to struggle to purchase homes in the face of limited housing supply. The current shortage of housing stock in the U.S. has many causes. In the wake of the Great Recession, the U.S. drastically cut the number of new home builds,...
AUSTIN, Texas, May 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The price of gas has roughly quadrupled over the past 20 years, while average life expectancy has grown astronomically. These trends have many wondering about their long-term wealth. Persistently high inflation has plagued American consumers and retirees for the past year. A Federal Reserve...
A few days ago, I wrote about the importance of protecting the things we value most. For most of us, that means working extra hours or putting extra effort into making financial plans. But for others—for those who have served and continue to serve in our nation’s armed forces—protecting what matters most can come with the greatest...
When you hear the key phrase “the things that matter most,” what comes to mind? For many Americans, I imagine family and individual freedoms are close to, if not at, the top of that list. I know when it comes to my financial decisions, I always keep my children in mind—for both how I can ensure they are provided for currently and how my...
On May 16, 2023, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that “the U.S. economy hangs in the balance” if lawmakers don’t act swiftly to increase the U.S. debt ceiling—the total amount that the federal government is allowed to borrow. The debt ceiling may be reached as early as June 1, 2023. As regular readers of “Gold News & Views”...
Right now, economic headlines are providing some mixed messages. On May 5, 2023, for example, The New York Times reported, “U.S. employers added 253,000 jobs despite economic worries,” and on May 8, 2023, CNBC reported, “Recession fears [have] eased.” But at the same time, MarketWatch reported on May 8, 2023, “U.S. markets fear...
