This Week's Update:

One of the biggest questions within my circles is: When will the recession hit?

In some global markets, it is happening, but the BIG driver is a US stock market correction.
Yes, Amazon announced a global layoff for middle managers, but in Washington State, Lamb Weston is laying off up to 500 employees.
- Lamb Weston, a food supplier known for French fries, noted a sharp decline in sales.
- This decline mirrors many other industries that rely on disposable income—the money spent on 'wants'—compared to non-disposable income, which is spent on 'needs' like rent, food, and fuel.
Companies like Lowe’s and Home Depot are slashing prices to reduce their inventory as home improvements are “falling off a cliff.”
Last week’s labor numbers are still being analyzed. There is NO WAY they can be real; they will be adjusted later, which is standard procedure for the Biden/Harris administration.
- It is no coincidence that these inflated numbers are published right before the election, causing the stock market to rise and metals to drop. When the revision comes, our situation will likely worsen.
I am buying as much metal as I can afford. When unemployment numbers were released a couple of days later, they were much more realistic, showing a sharp increase in new claims. Given the barrage of layoff announcements, these unemployment numbers are more accurate than the inflated labor statistics.
Expect the latest labor numbers to be revised sharply downward next month—AFTER THE ELECTION.

Will they lower rates again, or will they hold?
- Remember, November 7 is just two days AFTER the election.
- If they lower rates, even slightly, the recession is back on track and will likely hit within 6 weeks to 3 months.
- If they hold, the recession window could be pushed out to 6 months.
Either way, the recession WILL be here, and the NEXT President will get blamed for the economic collapse.
As Charles Barkley said, “I may be wrong, but I doubt it.”

Oil prices are still poised to rise. I'm filling my fuel cans immediately and adding stabilizer to preserve the fuel for 6 months.
- One source suggests fuel prices could double, but this seems tied to the East Coast dock workers, whose strike is on hold until after the next president takes office.
- With the recent trend of nearly $5 a gallon, I suspect we’ll return to that level unless Trump wins, which could open up fracking and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Since fuel companies profit regardless of market fluctuations, consider converting stock holdings to petroleum.

The next disaster prepping class is October 26th from 9 AM to 1 PM at Atonement Free Lutheran in Smokey Point.
- This event is free, but I will be selling books and raffle tickets.
- This session is only 4 hours and won’t consume your whole day.

Be sure to NEVER have more than the FDIC limit in any one bank.
- Coverage is now by BANK, not by account.
- If you have substantial cash, even temporarily, consider whether that’s the best place for your money.
The Economic Ninja reports that McDonald's is suing Tyson Foods for over-inflating beef prices, alleging Tyson is padding profits ahead of a forthcoming period of losses.
- Likewise, lumber mills are being sued for similar reasons, as home builders are forced to sell inventory at a loss due to slowing markets.
The current economic status resembles the time just before the Great Depression. Are you ready?

Preparing for the Crash:

I don’t give financial advice, but I can share what my family and others are doing to protect ourselves. Just reply to this email to discuss your specific situation.
When the crash happens, metals will temporarily DROP in price as investors liquidate their holdings to cover losses.
- This is NORMAL and will flood the market, lowering prices.
- I will attempt to shop during this dip, as prices are likely to rise significantly after investors finish liquidating.

Here’s what we are doing to protect ourselves from the forthcoming hard times:
- Zero debt.
- A few silver coins and rounds for disaster bartering.
- If you want to use my local source, contact Micah at 425-270-7435 or visit FS Metals. I have purchased several times from him, and he consistently offers great prices—often beating internet pricing.
- I use the OneGold app for most of my metal needs (about a 40/60 gold to silver ratio, as silver is generally considered undervalued).
  - My metal is “vaulted and insured.” I pay a small fee to store it and can sell it for cash or have it shipped directly to me. Join OneGold.
- I converted my retirement to a self-directed IRA investing in real estate.
- I hold my extra funds in a separate OneGold account.
  - You can create an account specializing in metals, but you CANNOT possess it. My friends at OneGold are experts in helping you navigate this legally and safely.
I never give financial advice other than following Dave Ramsey’s plan to get out of debt.
I have never been convinced that having debt for tax purposes is wise; I would rather pay the tax than the compounding interest.