Economy

History clearly shows there is a direct link between inflation and gold demand. When inflation jumps, or even when inflation expectations rise, investors turn to gold in greater numbers. When gold demand rises, so does its price and you can guess what happens to gold stocks. Below is a look at the extent of consumer purchases after inflation (and in some cases hyperinflation) took off in a number of countries.

Most American households are making less money than they would have 14 years ago with adjusted dollars. It begs the question, what is happening with America’s middle class? Why is there a decline?

Russia could initiate a much scarier financial attack on the U.S. than dumping its holdings of U.S. Treasury bonds were America to impose sanctions because of Russia's actions in the Crimea.

...The U.S. is destroying itself through senseless (and expensive) warfare and is no longer dancing around the socialist tar pit—it is now diving in [Obamacare]... It is an empire on the brink of losing its position to the next empire. That much is as clear as day. What we find surprising is that so many Americans cling so desperately to the possibility that a collapse can somehow be avoided and that the U.S. will somehow remain "liveable," or at least that the present standards will continue. [The truth of the matter is, unfortunately, that the U.S. is facing a series of hurdles, followed by a cliff. Let me explain.]

What is taking place around the world these days is analogous to the children's game of Musical Chairs, where everyone is happily going round and round at the beginning of the game but they all know that at some point soon the music will stop and those without a chair to sit in will be out of the game! I see PMs as being the chairs and, when the current financial music stops, those without PMs will be left holding nothing but paper money and history is full of examples of paper money suddenly becoming worthless!

There are so many articles - good and bad - available to read on the internet it is impossible to read them all. Many go under the radar because either the title of the article (an extremely important component) is insufficiently catchy to garner one's attention or, on the particular day they are posted, other articles come to the fore. Below are 8 - still very timely - articles you probably missed.

No two countries are alike as the ranking of 12 of various attributes of the major countries in the world show below.

News events from the Crimean Peninsula have increased paranoia in the mainstream financial press and certain corners of the internet [that Russia, in response to any economic sanctions implemented by the West, might engage in some form of retaliatory financial warfare.

Many of those who observe the daily news reports are beginning to figure out that they are being fed misinformation and that neither political party truly represents them or, for that matter, is even concerned for their welfare. Those folks are now navigating in the dark and, as the Great Unravelling progresses, they are being caught unawares and unable to even understand what has occurred, let alone take action to save themselves. [This article attempts to enlighten such individuals as to why such events are unfolding and what the eventual - inevitable - consequences will be for them unless they]..educate themselves and prepare an alternative life.

Do you share concerns about the world today, and the path we are headed on? Do you believe a total economic collapse is a real risk? Many would say it’s a concern but doubt it’s actually going to happen. It’s always been okay, so it probably always will be, is certainly the view that most of us hold. The thing is, though, that it hasn’t always been ok and it could easily happen again. Are you prepared for such an eventuality?