Geo-Politics
There are major rumors that Zelensky is about to resign because membership in NATO is NOT on the table WITH HIM IN OFFICE; AND, Zelensky won’t sign a $500 billion minerals deal (arms for metals) mortgaging Ukraine’s future.
Zelensky thinks NATO membership is that critical, as it would ensure military protection from Russia. But he would resign if membership is possible.
Yes, this is a risk of world war.
It seems that global leaders are mad in Trump’s stance to STOP just handing out cash, but actually wanting something in return.
If this is true, it is likely that Zelensky, accused by many of corruption, will take his personal fortune (quite sizable due to Biden) and leave the country, retiring in safety.
Meanwhile, Putin has gone public with their demands that be in place for a ceasefire, including retreating back into the Ukraine.
But the major point is to have Ukraine STOP trying to get into NATO.
If they join, then NATO countries would be obligated to go to war with them.
If you didn’t know, Zelensky is NOT a nice person… he’s accused of numerous brutal antisemitic actions AND he ‘suspended’ elections.
The Stock Market Watch
The stock markets remain mostly flat for the last 30 days, but late last week, the Dow dropped over 700 points.
The Inversion Chart is stuck between 0.23 and 0.40% (difference between the 10-year rates and 2-year rates of Treasury Bonds).
Once this goes over 0.50%, then you can queue the circus music (for the correction).
Walmart’s market warning triggered a huge drop last Thursday AND Friday.
They gave notice of grossly reduced sales (and profits), confirming that the market is REALLY in rough shape.
Their press release noted a growing reduction in consumer confidence.
Walmart’s shares dropped almost 10% in just a few minutes.
Metals/Cryptos Market Watch
Robert Kiyosaki is predicting $70 silver in the next year at the expense of a BRUTAL year for the S&P500.
Robert is known for commonly offering predictions, BUT… he is rarely wrong.
He stated that the crash is already upon us.
It is just that the government is way better at hiding it.
Customs officials are noting that gold smuggling INTO the USA is at its highest level ever, and that this ramp-up is just in the last two months (Trump era).
This is undeclared gold that people are trying to get into the USA so that they don’t have to pay duty fees.
Trump announced that there are plans to audit the volume of gold in Fort Knox.
It’s been 50 years since the last partial audit.
The last FULL audit was 1953.
The Bank of England’s audit found some COUNTERFEIT gold in the vault.
How many other central banks have fake bars?
If it is there, whew! But if it is not… well… what would that mean/cause?
USD currency value would drop, across the globe, accelerating a STOPPAGE of the use of the USD as a ‘reserve currency.’
Other News
There is a lot of talk that stems from comments by Steve Forbes (Forbes Magazine) that suggests the USA is headed toward a re-valuation of gold prices so that the USA could sell some gold reserves to pay off the national debt.
After digging through this, it cannot work.
There are STRONG rumors that the DOGE ‘savings’ will be PAID BACK to taxpayers… currently, this would be a $5000 check for each taxpayer.
And it would be payable in 2026 for those that paid 2025 taxes.
This would make up about 20% of the expected DOGE savings.
The Usual Metrics
The national debt is now passed halfway to $37 trillion.
Eviction numbers for the state of WA are now at record levels.
About 2% of all renters will face an eviction in 2025.
This hurts renters and landowners.
What Would I Do About All This?
(This is NOT financial advice, but it is what we did in our house…)
There is no better time than now to try to get out of debt.
Visit www.daveramsey.com for details.
If you need, just reply back and I can guide you.
We got out of debt using a slight variation of Dave’s plan. But for the most part, we followed it pretty closely.
We paid off highest rates first (instead of the lowest balances first).
