The Weekly Stacker Prepper Journal

Geo-Politics

The Trump campaign has announced plans to impose heavy tariffs on incoming goods from BRICS nations, which received very positive reception. In response, the Biden administration announced a mild increase in tariffs.

• These tariffs could force some inflation in comparable domestic goods, but the loss of revenue for BRICS nations could be significant enough to get their attention.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF)—the bank that the US owes its debt to—condemned this action, which could limit their control over US economic policies.
• Tariffs may be the only tool the US has left to address the economic challenges posed by BRICS.

As we approach the election, the impact could vary:

• A Trump victory might lessen the recession's impact.
• A Harris victory could lead to a worst-case scenario, potentially with added civil unrest.

The Middle East conflict is escalating:

• Israel officially bombed Iran, prompting Iran to call on other Muslim countries to join the war.
• North Korea is also now assisting Russia in the conflict with Ukraine.

Stock Market Watch

Most Americans remain in denial about the upcoming market correction, which could lead to a 25-40% drop. For those close to retirement, this could be catastrophic.

• I spoke with a man whose entire 401(k) is in stocks, and I suggested he look into petroleum-based stocks for stability.

Metals Market Watch

The Economic Ninja predicts silver may close the year at $40 to $45 per ounce, up from the current $34.

• If Trump wins, silver may hold its current value with some fluctuation, but it’s unlikely to drop back to the $20 range.
• As we near a recession (estimated 1-5 months out), metals could follow the market down slightly as investors sell, then rise as demand increases.

Other News

• BRICS has launched “BRICS Pay,” a new currency system for trade.
• Seattle’s Fox News reports existing home sales are at a 14-year low, similar to the commercial real estate market.

The Usual Metrics

• Layoffs continue in the alternative-energy sector due to reduced rebates and limited homeowner funds for projects, affecting stores like Home Depot and Lowe's.
• Internationally, Germany’s auto industry faces mass layoffs and wage cuts, with ripple effects throughout Europe.
• Washington state still has seven banks and two credit unions in financial trouble. See if yours is listed: Bauer Financial
• Heresy Financial reports bank health is eight times worse than during the 2008/2009 banking crisis.

Debt and Inflation

• The national debt is approaching $36 trillion, growing by another trillion every 100 days.
• The inversion chart shows a positive yield curve, with 10-year T-bills offering higher rates than 2-year ones.
• A stock market correction is expected within 1-5 months.
• BRICS’ “BRICS Pay” is a CBDC, part of a larger trend toward centralized digital currencies globally.

What Did I Do About This?

This is NOT financial advice, but here’s what we did in our household:

• Following Dave Ramsey’s plan to get out of debt, prioritizing high-interest debt first.
• Adjusting investments to recession-resistant options, including petroleum stocks, which helped us gain 12% during the 2008/2009 crisis.
• Converting old 401(k)s to a self-directed IRA, which allowed for checkbook control and real estate investments.

After selling our property, we invested in physical metals using the OneGold app for storage and insurance.

For physical purchases, my preferred local source is Micah at FS Metals, who offers competitive prices.

For metal buying apps, I use OneGold with a 40/60 gold-to-silver ratio. Sign up here: OneGold.

Preparedness and Education

I also teach a disaster preparedness course, "Prepping for Normal People." If you’d like to host me, the course is free, and I sell books and raffle tickets. For hosting inquiries, email me at k9mat@hotmail.com.