In this moment of quiet reflection, I hope you find a renewed sense of hope, while remembering just how loved we are to have been blessed with the presence of Almighty God in human form, the one we know as Jesus!

In the ever-shifting landscape of investment markets, appearances can be deceiving. At first glance, these markets present themselves as a straightforward interplay of supply and demand, guided by rational decisions and clear financial data. However, a closer examination reveals a more complex and sometimes opaque world, where not everything is as it seems.

Picture this: it's 1990, the iconic movie "Home Alone" is playing in theaters, and you're on a routine trip to the grocery store. The shelves are stacked with familiar products, but what truly stands out when we reflect back are the prices. Fast forward to 2023, and a trip to the same grocery store paints a very different picture. This blog post dives into the transformative journey of grocery prices from the 'Home Alone' era to the present day.

With a patient mindset, we can weather storms, embrace periods of growth, and eventually witness the dawn of new opportunities and achievements. So, let's hold on to the belief that the days ahead will be bright, knowing that our patience today lays the foundation for a more vibrant and fulfilling tomorrow.

Washing your car during a thunderstorm might seem like a clever use of nature's resources, but it's actually a risky and potentially dangerous activity. The primary concern lies in the unpredictable and hazardous nature of thunderstorms themselves. Thunderstorms are often accompanied by lightning, which can strike suddenly and with deadly force.

The reality is the Fed hasn’t done enough to stop price inflation. They haven’t tightened enough to stop the borrowing. But they have tightened enough to break an economy that is rooted in artificially low interest rates.

On Veterans Day, we honor the brave military men and women who have protected our freedoms for generations. We're grateful for their sacrifice and the importance of a strong, caring government that provides for our veterans' needs. As we reflect, we recognize the connection between a healthy economy and a robust government to support our veterans. They deserve our nation's support and work towards a society that values and cares for them.

The history of the U.S. economy is a tapestry woven with the threads of human nature, knotted with the cycles of greed and caution, speculation, and correction.

Rates and inflation are rising for an extended period, QT is operating automatically in the background, and for the first time in a long time, stocks are on their own after being supported by the Fed since 2008—a situation that isn't working out well for them.

The mainstream media exults every time retail sales come in higher than anticipated as evidence of how robust and powerful the American consumer is. According to Peter Schiff's podcast, these retail sales figures don't indicate a robust economy. They just represent how Americans are getting less for more money. And to make matters worse, they are drowning in debt as a result.

With all the smoke and mirrors the government throws at us every day, it can be pretty hard to tell what is real, and what is not. Follow me on a journey to get a handle on what some believe is real inflation.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has been calculated differently by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) since 1980 in order to take product substitution and quality improvements into consideration.

Federal spending is so out of control that it only took three months for the federal debt to increase by one trillion dollars to over 33 trillion dollars. In contrast, it took almost 200 years for the federal debt to reach one trillion dollars. So the federal government racked up more debt in the last three months than it did from the ratification of the US Constitution until Ronald Reagan’s first term! There will be even more shocking increases in the future since, according to some experts, federal debt is increasing by approximately 14 billion dollars a day.

Given the current economic trends marked by inflation and high valuations, a normal market correction could be on the horizon. The subsequent recovery cycle is likely to reward those who exercise patience and long-term vision.

Navigating the economic landscape these days is more like white-water rafting than a serene paddle downstream. While uncertainty is the only constant, staying well-informed can serve as your lifejacket. Keep tabs on both the domestic and global economies, pivot your investment strategies as needed, and above all, remain patient. These challenging times will pass, and those who have armed themselves with knowledge and flexibility will be in the best position to reap the rewards. Stay tuned for more timely insights, and until then, keep your financial seatbelt fastened.

The topic of behavioral economics and its impact on investment decisions, particularly in turbulent times, is both fascinating and crucial for investors to understand. During periods of market instability, emotions like fear and greed can easily take the driver's seat, often leading to impulsive decisions that could harm long-term investment goals. Whether it's panic selling during a market dip or getting caught up in the euphoria of a bubble, emotional choices tend to be reactive and can result in missed opportunities or significant losses.

In my latest blog post, I dig into the thorny issue of America's current inflation mess, taking cues from Ronald Reagan's take back in 1980. I spotlight the vicious cycle where more spending and borrowing by the government only fuel further inflation. The situation's pretty dire, with recent data showing inflation rates veering way past the Fed's 2% target, and most Americans are feeling it. The economy and inflation are emerging as hot-button issues for the 2024 Presidential race. I also touch on how Biden administration policies, particularly around energy, are contributing to the problem.

The U.S. government debt has reached nearly $33 trillion, fueled by extensive issuance of Treasury securities to both fund deficits and roll over maturing securities. Amid this, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates, making short-term Treasury bills cost around 5.5% in interest to the government, while longer-term borrowing rates hover above 4%. However, these new, higher interest rates only apply to newly issued Treasury securities; those issued years ago continue to carry their original, lower interest rates. Consequently, the average interest rate on all government debt has gradually increased from 1.57% in February 2022 to 2.84% in July, and it's projected to continue rising.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank President Loretta Mester expressed concerns over the potential for inflation to remain above the 2% target for an extended period. Mester indicated that, although economic growth has been stronger than expected and there are signs of inflation coming down, the data is still insufficient to be certain. She also mentioned that higher long-term rates would put downward pressure on inflation.

During their two-day July meeting, Federal Reserve officials expressed worry about the pace of inflation and hinted at potential future rate hikes unless conditions change. The discussions led to a quarter percentage point rate hike, which markets expect to be the last one of the current cycle. However, the minutes showed that most members believe the fight against inflation is far from over, requiring potential further action from the Federal Open Market Committee.

Perhaps one of the most bizarre recent developments in economic news has been the attempt by establishment media (and the White House) to declare US inflation “defeated” despite all the facts to the contrary. Keep in mind that when these people talk about inflation, they are only talking about the most recent CPI, which is supposed to be a measure of current inflation growth, not a measure of inflation already accumulated. But, the CPI is easily manipulated, and focus on that index alone is a tactic for misleading the public on the true economic danger.