On the inflation front ...

[P7M13]

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/R_zUdMZK1S0?feature=shared

Like, dude, the cost is, like, four times higher because, like, he uses that many more "likes" in his speech.

 

[Provincial]

That stubborn two percent inflation target of the Feds will likely turn out to be elastic. After while, they will give up and accept a higher "normal" rate. Even at two percent allowable, over 10 years, they've given up 20%. In my opinion, even two percent is unacceptable. The Fed is in one of those between a rock and a hard place situations. They try to follow their paper mandate, but likely are driving the US Treasury Dept. crazy with "higher for longer" rates that the government has to make good on re. entitlement payments. The two concepts are on a collision course.

The effect is compound interest, because year two interest is on $1.02, and so on. For ten years, it would be $1.219 for each dollar, This is based on 2% compounded annually, but if the inflation was gradual, spread out over the whole year, but compounded monthly to a total of 2% annually, it would be $1.2212.

Inflation is often stated in terms that hide the real cost.

 

[Alexx1401]

In my opinion, you are correct. But I'm hoping that it takes longer. I agree it's inevitable, but for a change I'm being optimistic for selfish reasons.

I keep being shocked it lasts as long as it has. Its why I now just laugh at the predictions. I could see this same conversation taking place 10 years from now. Saying the end in now.
How its gone on this long is a mystery to me. So if 10 years from now we are still living like this or it crashes next month? Still not a damn thing I can do about it. So I keep living life and find FAR more important things to care about.

 

[Jay Walk]

I guess I can't do math

 

[arakboss]

Maybe oil prices will come down further.

The world's largest oil importer flashes a warning about demand and crude prices | Fortune

The number of supertankers headed for China dropped to the lowest in almost two years.

fortune.com

 

[unionguy]

Cool, only like 140% more to go

View attachment 1427466

The gap appeared at the same time we started busting unions. People can say what they want, but unions do help move money from profits to working people. You know, the ones who do all the damn work.

 

[Mikej]

View attachment 1911732

Yeah, but they don't use food a fuel in calculation of inflation.

View: https://youtu.be/6z_RWAmzHpc

Anyone that earns only $3,000.00 a month take home and has a phone bill of a C-note and insurance of TWO C-notes a month has to be a moron of some kind. And shouldn't breed.

 

[gmerkt]

I keep being shocked it lasts as long as it has. Its why I now just laugh at the predictions. I could see this same conversation taking place 10 years from now. Saying the end in now.
How its gone on this long is a mystery to me. So if 10 years from now we are still living like this or it crashes next month? Still not a damn thing I can do about it. So I keep living life and find FAR more important things to care about.

I find it hard to disagree here. Some of us have been hearing about Armageddon coming since the 1970's.

Here I must add a "however." Because the rate of deterioration appears to have accelerated greatly in the past dozen or fewer years.

My opinion, the government and the Fed have been able to "paper over" the problem with various monetary and fiscal gimmicks to stave off hard times. Especially true since 2008. Big gulp in the Covid era. Hard times are hard on politicians, sometimes they don't get re-elected. Neither party wants it. So far, creative finances have been able to delay whatever is coming in the way of adjustment.

 

[Alexx1401]

I find it hard to disagree here. Some of us have been hearing about Armageddon coming since the 1970's.

Here I must add a "however." Because the rate of deterioration appears to have accelerated greatly in the past dozen or fewer years.

My opinion, the government and the Fed have been able to "paper over" the problem with various monetary and fiscal gimmicks to stave off hard times. Especially true since 2008. Big gulp in the Covid era. Hard times are hard on politicians, sometimes they don't get re-elected. Neither party wants it. So far, creative finances have been able to delay whatever is coming in the way of adjustment.

Yep, still shocks me this house of cards has not fallen. As always though what am I going to do about it? Not a damn thing I can. So if I am still this side of the sod when it happens I will just have to deal with it like everyone else.

 

[Burt Gummer]

It won't be some random date, but at a carefully strategized time. That said, I wholehearted agree.

 

[Burt Gummer]

Perhaps vanlife or a garage cot for the youth?

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Al9M0CtS3-s?feature=share

 

[25-06]

The gap appeared at the same time we started busting unions. People can say what they want, but unions do help move money from profits to working people. You know, the ones who do all the damn work.

John Deere announced another round of layoffs last week, impacting 600 workers.

The company reported a profit of over $10 billion in 2023.

Its CEO received $26.7 million in total compensation.

And it spent over $7 billion on stock buybacks and is moving the factory to Mexico.

Textbook corporate greed.

 

[Jay Walk]

John Deere announced another round of layoffs last week, impacting 600 workers.

The company reported a profit of over $10 billion in 2023.

Its CEO received $26.7 million in total compensation.

And it spent over $7 billion on stock buybacks and is moving the factory to Mexico.

Textbook corporate greed.

Fully supported by Rich Men north Of Richmond.
The majority of Congress members would unplug your life support to charge their cell phone.

 

[po18guy]

1. Price gouging is voluntary. Economic theory teaches that alternatives exist to everything.
2. Demand drives the price for any particular item. We live in a silent auction market.
3. Who would complain today about prices in May 2023 when this thread was begun?

 

[Jay Walk]

Just don't buy, I have been watching the used car market for the past year while looking for the wife's next ride. Prices are easily off by 20% from just one year ago for late model low mileage vehicles.
Good for a buyer, imagine when the press actually admits the economy is bad.
Can't wait

 

[Alexx1401]

Just don't buy, I have been watching the used car market for the past year while looking for the wife's next ride. Prices are easily off by 20% from just one year ago for late model low mileage vehicles.
Good for a buyer, imagine when the press actually admits the economy is bad.
Can't wait

This should only keep getting better. There has got to be a LOT of repo going on. People who bought new cars with shocking payments who soon of course can't pay. These cars go to auction and when you flood the market? Price of course goes down. For those looking for cars that are not great MPG its even better. The price of gas keeps many cars at pretty nice prices.

 

[Burt Gummer]

The banksters show no mercy.

 

[Mikej]

The banksters show no mercy.

View attachment 1914133

Why would a person keep a Macy's card if they did that? I've got Discover and Wifey Cabela's. Before we got Bidened from behind my interest rate was 11%-12.5%ish. Now it's 21.5%. I pay it off pretty quick though.

 

[nammac]

Why would a person keep a Macy's card if they did that? I've got Discover and Wifey Cabela's. Before we got Bidened from behind my interest rate was 11%-12.5%ish. Now it's 21.5%. I pay it off pretty quick though.

If it's not interest free, it's not for me…

 

[Mikej]

If it's not interest free, it's not for me…

The way I use my Discover card I only end up paying somewhere between $15.00-$30.00 a year in interest.