Suze Orman’s Top 25 Tips That Will Save You From Financial Disaster

Suze Orman’s Top 25 Tips That Will Save You From Financial Disaster

Gabrielle Olya   Thu, September 26, 2024  GOBankingRates

Suze Orman was working as a waitress and making $400 a month at 29 years old. She then decided to take a chance on a major career change and landed a job as a broker for Merrill Lynch.

Having been on both ends of the financial spectrum, Orman knows what it takes to make the leap from broke to wealthy, and is now one of the most respected voices in personal finance — as well as a New York Times bestselling author with more than 25 million books in circulation.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, she is worth some $75 million, indicating that she’s followed her own financial advice for saving, investing and preparing for retirement.

As any self-made millionaire will tell you, going from rags to riches takes hard work. It also calls for tons of tried-and-true personal finance strategies to maintain and build financial success. Here are 25 tips from Orman to steer clear of financial disaster.

Live Within Your Needs but Below Your Means

Living within your needs but below your means is the golden rule of the Suze Orman budget. Although food and shelter are needs, you might be spending too much on these essentials.

“How much you choose to spend on your basic needs is a squishy number dependent on the choices you make,” Orman wrote in a blog post. “For example, a mortgage lender may tell you that you will qualify for a $250,000 mortgage. But if you can find a great home that meets your family’s needs, and it costs $195,000 you will save a lot of money that can be used for other important goals. The $195,000 home fits your needs.”

Don’t Lease a Car — Buy Instead

“Leasing is a horrible financial move,” Orman wrote in a blog post. “It is the auto industry’s way to get you to buy a car you can’t really afford. (…) The big problem is that when you lease there’s the temptation to keep leasing forever.

“So every three years — the standard lease length — you turn in your car and lease another. That means you are signing on for never-ending monthly car payments.”

Orman explained that buying is better because once you pay off your loan, you have that extra monthly payment to build your emergency fund, contribute to a retirement account, save for a home down payment or meet another financial goal.

Stop Paying Extra for Minor Conveniences

The difference in the cost of paying for food delivery instead of cooking or hopping in an Uber instead of taking the bus might seem small, but the expense of always taking the convenient option will add up over time.

“It adds up big time,” Orman told CNBC. “Stop leasing cars, stop eating out, stop doing the (thing) that’s wasting your money and makes your life easier, because in the long run it’s going to make it harder.”

Cut Out Your Coffee Habit

“I wouldn’t buy a cup of coffee anywhere, ever — and I can afford it — because I would not insult myself by wasting money that way,” Orman told CNBC.

She believes that $3 spent daily on coffee is better off going into a retirement fund or used to meet other savings goals.

For example, if you spend $100 a month on coffee and put that money into an IRA instead, that would grow to about $1 million after 40 years given a 12% rate of return.

“You need to think about it as: You are peeing $1 million down the drain as you are drinking that coffee,” Orman said. “Do you really want to do that? No.”

Pay With Debit Instead of Credit Whenever Possible

“There is no more expensive form of bondage than spending more than you have and paying interest of 15% or more on your credit card,” Orman wrote in a blog post.

She recommends paying for everything with a prepaid debit card or a debit card that is tied to a checking account that does not have overdraft coverage.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/suze-orman-top-26-tips-200055723.html

7 Levels Of Wealth: What Stage Are You At In 2024 According To Grant Sabatier?

7 Levels Of Wealth: What Stage Are You At In 2024 According To Grant Sabatier?

AJ Fabino   Thu, September 26, 2024  Benzinga

In a world where financial anxieties loom, many Americans wonder just how financially secure they are.

For those wondering, Grant Sabatier, a voice in the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, offers a perspective with his seven-level framework of wealth. The road map, written in his book "Financial Freedom," is a gauge that might resonate with those seeking to understand their financial journey.

Sabatier’s first level, “Clarity,” is about taking stock. For some, it might mean confronting the reality of living paycheck to paycheck, which plagues 78% of working Americans, according to a 2023 Payroll.org survey cited by Forbes.

Sabatier’s system breaks down as follows, according to Acorns:

2. Self-sufficiency: Covering basic expenses without external support. While it may still mean living paycheck to paycheck, it’s an important step.

3. Breathing Room: The end of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. This level allows for discretionary spending and marks the beginning of financial comfort. "Just because you make a lot of money doesn't mean you're saving that money," Sabatier said. "Most people in [the U.S.] live through debt."

4. Stability: A solid financial foundation. “At this level, you’re not worried if you lose your job or have to move to a different city,” Sabatier explained. Stability typically involves saving six months of living expenses.

5. Flexibility: The ability to take calculated risks. With at least two years of living expenses saved, individuals can consider major life changes without financial fear. "You could take a year off from your job if you wanted to," he said.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/7-levels-wealth-stage-2024-171546067.html

So What About Silver?

So What About Silver? 

Notes From the Field by James Hickman / Simon Black

September 25, 2024  In the 6th century BC, during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon flourished as a center of power, culture, and commerce.

We know this because the Babylonians were exceptional record keepers. And they chiseled everything down onto cuneiform tablets, many of which have survived through today.

Sadly the tablets aren't tabloids. They don't contain any juicy gossip or colorful stories of ancient times.

But they do offer extremely detailed-- though often boring and mundane-- records of everyday economic transactions, legal contracts, and administrative activities.

Just like future historians centuries from now should easily be able to see this evening's closing stock prices for Apple and Tesla, we can also read about daily grain prices in ancient Babylon.

One important tablet from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II highlights the interchangeability of gold and silver in Babylonian commerce. It records a transaction where 5 shekels of silver were considered equivalent to half a shekel of gold.

(The shekel was an ancient unit of weight approximately equal to 8.33 grams.)

This exchange rate implies a silver-to-gold ratio of 10:1.

The formal establishment of fixed exchange rates between gold and silver took a significant leap under Darius the Great in the mid-6th century BC.

Ruling over the vast Achaemenid Empire, Darius borrowed the concept of minting coins from the Lydians and introduced a bimetallic standard. He decreed that one gold "daric" coin was equivalent to 20 silver coins, creating one of the first examples of an official, fixed silver-to-gold ratio.

Over time, the ratio fluctuated due to advancements in mining techniques and changes in supply and demand. And by the era of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, the ratio had shifted to 13:1.

Similarly, in ancient Rome, Julius Caesar established a 12:1 ratio.

Even in the early history of the United States, The Coinage Act of 1792 legally defined the US dollar in terms of specific weights of gold and silver—1.604 grams of pure gold or 24.1 grams of pure silver—establishing a ratio of approximately 15:1.

Of course, today, the silver-to-gold ratio is whatever the market decides. Ever since the dollar was removed from the gold standard more than five decades ago, the market ratio between silver and gold has ranged from about 25:1 all the way up to 120:1. Right now it is about 85:1.

Many people have an idea about where this ratio should be. Some people think that it will inevitably fall back to 50:1 which would price silver at around $53 per ounce.

Silver could certainly rise to $53 and far beyond. But not because of some preordained ratio.

Remember, there is no fixed rule or law regulating the silver/gold ratio. There's nothing stopping it from rising to 500:1.

And frankly I think it's likely the ratio could rise much higher from its current 85:1.

Just think about the catalysts that could drive both gold and silver prices much higher.

Gold prices over the past few years have been pushed to all-time highs by central banks. And as I've argued, this is a pretty clear sign that they anticipate moving on from the US dollar as the global reserve currency.

As the US national debt continues to explode higher and the federal government appears increasingly dysfunctional, it's becoming likely that the US dollar's global dominance could come to an end within the next several years.

What does the post-dollar global financial system look like? What will the next reserve currency be? No one knows.

And that's why central banks are buying gold. Because they have $8 TRILLION worth of US dollar reserves that they need to convert into something of value.

Gold, for now, represents that value. So central banks are buying it by the metric ton.

But (with minor exception) central banks do not buy silver. The market is too small, making it extremely difficult to invest billions of dollars all at once.

Silver prices are influenced more by industrial demand... and investor speculation. I'll come back to that.

I've said before that a Kamala victory will likely spell the end for the dollar's reign. This is a person who thinks that inflation is caused by "greed" and whose answer to every problem is more government spending.

The Harris deficits and inflation will likely be the proverbial straw that breaks the dollar's back. And the consequent surge in central bank gold purchases could easily send the silver/gold ratio soaring past 200 or more.

Again, while 200 is far beyond the historical average, there's no reason why it can't be even higher. Historical averages are merely data points, not firm rules.

It's far more important to pay attention to price catalysts. And gold has a major catalyst in central bank purchases.

That doesn’t mean the price of silver won’t rise. In fact, a climbing gold price alone is very like to increase the price of silver, simply because investors will speculate that it will rise.

This becomes somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy; investors buy an asset believing that it will rise. That increased demand causes the price to rise, encouraging more investors to buy.

We've seen this type of feverish speculation with plenty of asset classes in the past-- including silver more than a decade ago.

But in the end, if there aren't real demand fundamentals to support the price, the speculative mania always fades.

Bottom line, gold has clear demand from central banks that could send the price to absurd levels. Silver does not share the same catalyst.

Silver prices could absolutely skyrocket. But this would be far more likely due to temporary speculation (and those buyers tend to be finicky and sell quickly) rather than from true long-term industrial or investor demand.

To your freedom,  James Hickman  Co-Founder, Schiff Sovereign LLC

PS-  If you value this type of financial and political analysis, this is just a taste of what you’ll get with Schiff Sovereign: Premium. At just $9/month, it’s packed with incredible insights, including both Plan B strategies and compelling investment research. It’s a highly educational, month-by-month guide that is designed to help you navigate the world from a position of strength, both personally and financially.

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/trends/so-what-about-silver-151499/

How Much Inheritance Will Ruin Your Kid?

How Much Inheritance Will Ruin Your Kid?

How generational wealth impacts productivity and happiness

Sean Kernan

When my family lived near the Cavalier Country Club in Virginia Beach, we were the token middle-class family in the neighborhood. Many of the houses had hedged bushes, carefully carved into eccentric geometric shapes, and sports cars sitting unashamed in their driveway, announcing their owner’s achievements to all.

And despite this clear class divide, I got along great with the boys around me. Some were only 10, but had fathers that were entirely grey haired, and mothers who looked barely out of high school. I noticed the peculiarity of it but never connected the dots on what these unions meant.

Some of these boys were well-adjusted and great. Others were quite spoiled, and I often wonder what came of them. They were agitated and disobedient in school, often getting into fights on the playground.

Had wealth bestowed a sense of privilege upon them? Did they already feel exempt from the rules and any acts of discipline?

Per the Global Health Report for 2023, the United States has 22.7 million millionaires (38.2% of the global total, with China in second at 10.2%). Many of these people are well past one million and cruising into eight and nine figures of net worth. And it leaves us with an interesting predicament: Many scions of vast fortunes are quite young.

And while this might not be a problem many of you sympathize with, it should nevertheless invoke thought about how your worldly assets should be addressed with your children, or the lack thereof.

How should we think about our inheritance?

Lynn Chen-Zhang’s 8-year-old son came home from school one day and said a student asked him, “Why do you study so hard?”

Classmates were saying his parents were rich, so there was no need to work so hard. Her son was on to something. Their father, Charles Chen-Zhang, owns one of the largest financial advisory firms in the country and was already a known philanthropist.

Realizing these questions were continuing, as classmates knew of their family (mainly through gossiping parents), the Chen-Zhangs decided to sit their children down and have the money talk.

They told their two boys, “We’ll support you both in getting as much education as you’d like, but from then on, you are on your own.” Which translated to zero inheritance.

Whether this was a scare tactic or a true threat, they worked. Both sons are now thriving in their finance careers, independent of their father’s company.

This trend is common. I spoke with a peer, Matthew, who is 49 and runs a successful medium-sized business which he just sold for a substantial sum. He told me, “My children don’t even know how much money I just made. Nor do I intend to let them know.” Of note, he lives a humble life and does not flash his wealth by any means.

But most parents don’t face this severe of a dilemma. The average inheritance in the US is “only” $46,200 per census data, with 85% of inheritances being below $250,000. Which isn’t nothing.

The game changes with the ultra-wealthy

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/how-much-inheritance-will-ruin-your-kid-003747274.html

The Downsides Of Buying A House In Cash

The Downsides Of Buying A House In Cash

Christy Bieber  Sun, September 22, 2024  Moneywise

My financial advisor says I shouldn't pay 100% cash for a house — is it better to take out a mortgage and invest in the S&P 500 instead?

If you have a lot of cash and are considering buying a property, you may be tempted to pay for the home outright. After all, not having a mortgage sounds nice.

But the reality is that it’s not always a good idea to buy your house in cash for many reasons. Before writing a big check for your real estate investment, you’ll want to consider the opportunity costs of tying up your money this way.

************************

The downsides of buying a house in cash

The biggest downside of buying a house in cash is that you can’t invest the money you sink into the home.

Your return on investment (ROI) for paying cash is the interest you save on your mortgage loan. Even with rates still hovering near record highs, your ROI would still be around 6.93% (the 52-week average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage loan as of September 12, 2024.) Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has produced a 10% average annual return since its inception almost 70 years ago, offering a potentially higher ROI if you invest in the stock market.

There are also some other factors to think about.

If you itemize your deductions, you can get a tax break for your mortgage interest, so the government subsidizes your home purchase. Plus, your housing payment effectively gets cheaper every year due to inflation, which reduces the value of the money you're making housing payments with.

TO READ MORE:   https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/financial-advisor-says-shouldnt-pay-113300313.html

Do These 3 Things If You Receive an Inheritance

Suze Orman Says You Must Do These 3 Things If You Receive an Inheritance

Cindy Lamothe   Sat, September 21, 2024   GOBankingRates

Receiving a financial windfall like an inheritance can be an emotional time — one that might stop you from seeing the bigger picture. As financial advisor Suze Orman said in a recent episode of her podcast, “I think it’s really important that we think about how we invest money today to make the most out of the situation that we have?”

In her episode, Orman outlines the next steps to take if you’re receiving an inheritance for the first time and need help figuring out what to do with the money. Here are her recommendations below for the top three things to do.

1. Take an Inventory of Your Debt

As tempting as it may be to immediately make a big purchase like going on a trip or buying a big-ticket item you’ve been putting off — it’s crucial to take a deep look into your finances. Orman recommends writing down everything that you have, starting with debt. Write down things like credit card debt, student loans, car loans, as well as personal and mortgage debt. Once you’ve categorized all of these, write down the average interest rate you are paying. This will allow you to create a plan for paying these off. If it’s a large inheritance, Orman suggests seriously considering getting rid of all debt in one swing.

2. Build Up Your Emergency Savings

Once you’ve reviewed and analyzed your debt situation, Orman says having a solid emergency savings account for true emergencies is vital. These are especially important if your car breaks down or your fridge goes wonky and you must shell out $400. She says you want to rely on something other than a credit card for these kinds of scenarios. For that reason, she recommends having a minimum of $1,000 to $2,000 in that account.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/suze-orman-3-things-must-140019981.html

There Are 7 Levels Of Wealth

 There Are 7 Levels Of Wealth

Chris Clark  Thu, September 19, 2024  Moneywise

‘Financial Freedom’ Author Grant Sabatier Says There Are 7 Levels Of Wealth — What Stage Are You At In 2024?

A shaky economy, job uncertainty and rising everyday costs have Americans craving the financial independence that makes money worries a distant memory.

That might be why so many people are turning to author and personal finance expert Grant Sabatier’s seven-level breakdown to financial freedom.

Sabatier’s list is gaining attention because it ladders the distinct levels of wealth people reach on their path to prosperity. Understanding where you stand on the ladder can inform your next steps toward the final rung: complete money freedom.

So, where are you on the ladder, and how can you keep climbing?

Level 1: Clarity

The journey starts by understanding your financial situation — your income, debts, and savings.

Today’s high grocery prices and everyday costs make basic living expenses a challenge. But it can be empowering to get an understanding of where you are financially speaking and how much you need to make ends meet. That’s how you build a plan.

How to climb: Begin by following every dollar’s comings and goings. Budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB can help you get organized and clarify your debt-to-income ratio so you understand what you owe.

Level 2: Self-Sufficiency

At this level, you no longer rely on anyone for financial support and can cover basic expenses. Reaching this stage means you’re paying the rent or mortgage, utilities and other essentials without accumulating debt.

Living paycheck to paycheck, however, is still considered part of this step. A recent study by MagnifyMoney found that half of Americans are dealing with that reality.

How to climb: It’s important to build an emergency fund with three to six months’ worth of living expenses — a safety net to protect against lost income or unexpected expenses. It’s also important to minimize lifestyle inflation and keep expenses low as your income grows.

Level 3: Breathing Room

At this level, you’ve escaped the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. Extra money allows discretionary spending. You’re no longer stressed about covering your monthly bills. Knowing your financial house is in order, you have enough to occasionally indulge in eating out, vacations and other non-essentials.

How to climb: Focus on erasing high-interest debt and increasing your savings rate. Prioritizing where your money goes ensures you’ll continue to build wealth while enjoying the results.

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/financial-freedom-author-grant-sabatier-111300131.html

Preparing for a Recession? Avoid These 6 Money Mistakes

Preparing for a Recession? Avoid These 6 Money Mistakes

Nicole Spector  Sun, September 15,  GOBankingRates

There’s been a lot of chatter in recent months that a recession could be about to hit the U.S. economy. Experts are divided on whether or not that will happen, but keep in mind, nobody — not even top global economists — can predict a recession with 100% accuracy.

“Believing that one can predict when a recession is going to occur and how that recession will affect one’s finances is fool’s gold,” said Robert R. Johnson, Ph.D., CFA, CAIA, professor of finance at Heider College of Business, Creighton University. 

Not being able to predict a recession is even more reason you should always be prepared for one, as one can strike seemingly out of nowhere — just look at what happened during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re getting your finances ready to survive and thrive during a recession, avoid these six money mistakes.

Not Being Mentally Ready and Thinking Short-Term With Investments

One of the most significant challenges to having financial success in investing exists in your mind. We tend to take financial losses pretty personally and think more about what we’ve lost than what we can or could gain.

“The biggest hurdle to long term success in investing is mental,” Johnson said. “Research has shown that we suffer losses at a much higher rate than we savor gains. Baseball philosopher Yogi Berra once said, ‘Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.'”

It’s worthwhile to also think of investing as being 90% mental.

“When stock markets decline, often during recessions, people have a knee jerk reaction to ‘sell out of stocks’ and take on a risk-off strategy,” Johnson said. “The problem with that philosophy is that one has to make a series of good decisions — when to get out in advance of the recession and when to get back in when the recession is over. And, they end up ‘selling low and buying high.'”

But when you “derisk” your portfolio, you’re also robbing yourself of opportunities that will inevitably open up when the stock market rebounds, as it always does.

“Prepare yourself mentally for the ups and downs of the stock market,” Johnson said.

Not Having an Emergency Fund

It’s always bad to not have an emergency fund, but it’s downright disastrous to not have one when bracing for an economic downturn that could disrupt your financial well being.

TO READ MORE: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/preparing-recession-avoid-6-money-130011855.html

Atlanta Woman Loses $120K To Fake Financial Adviser

Atlanta Woman Loses $120K To Fake Financial Adviser

Danielle Antosz  Tue, September 17, 2024   Moneywise

Here Are The Warning Signs Of Investment Fraud

An Atlanta woman, who chose to protect her identity with the pseudonym Yvonne, was defrauded of her life savings by a fake financial adviser.

Prior to the scam, she said she'd prided herself on her "common sense" and research skills. "My family would be the first to tell people, she’s the ‘go-to,’” she told WSB-TV Atlanta. But now, she’s out more than $120,000.

In an effort to invest for her family’s future, Yvonne decided to contact a finance professional she’d spotted on YouTube. The person appeared to receive glowing reviews on social media.

Before sending any money, Yvonne looked the person up on BrokerCheck, an online tool from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) that shows investors the employment history, certifications, and any violations for brokers and financial advisers.

It appeared that the person was registered, licensed, and allegedly worked for a company Yvonne recognized — Fidelity.

“I thought I had done my research,” she told the news outlet. "[This money] was a lifetime of work to me. My future."

After calling FINRA to double-check if the investor was legitimate, Yvonne sent the finance professional $5,000 via Automated Clearing House (ACH).

Over the next few weeks, she received messages from the supposed adviser showing her that her crypto investment was growing. But when Yvonne went to cash out, everything went south.

A Case Of Stolen Identity

When Yvonne was ready to withdraw her money after seeing significant growth, the scammer insisted she pay taxes on her investment gains or risk legal action.

They then directed her to create an account on Crypto.com to submit the payment, to which Yvonne complied.

This was followed up with another message asking for additional funds for taxes, then another message insisting Yvonne pay thousands of dollars for an international business permit certificate, all in crypto.

By that point, Yvonne had sent multiple payments totaling more than $120,000 — her entire life savings. Then, the scammer disappeared.

Later, Yvonne learned that the Fidelity financial adviser was legitimate — but someone had stolen their identity and was using it to defraud unsuspecting clients.

TO READ MORE: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/atlanta-woman-loses-120k-fake-111700914.html

Mark Cuban’s Unconventional Lottery Advice: What He Says To Do If You Win Big

Mark Cuban’s Unconventional Lottery Advice: What He Says To Do If You Win Big

T. Woods   Tue, September 17, 2024   GOBankingRates

You’re holding your Mega Millions lotto ticket in your shaking hand. You look up at your computer screen announcing the winning lotto numbers, and then back at your ticket. The numbers match. You’ve just won the jackpot.

While this is the dream come true for any person who’s ever purchased a lotto ticket, it also comes with a lot of potential financial mistakes, risks and dangers. Just what, exactly, are you supposed to do when you come into extraordinary wealth overnight?

In June, when the Mega Millions jackpot reached $1.1 billion, Benzinga interviewed “Shark Tank” producer and “shark” Mark Cuban about how to handle such a windfall. Cuban, an experienced billionaire, had a lot to say on the matter.

First off, Cuban recommended playing the long game. As Benzinga noted, the Mega Millions winner was slated to receive one of two types of payout: a $1.1 billion annuity providing approximately $23 million per year for 30 years, or a single lump payout of roughly $528.8 million.

“Don’t take the lump sum,” Cuban told Benzinga. “You don’t want to blow it all in one spot.”

Cuban also recommended playing it safe with this kind of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That extends most crucially to the temptation to invest your massive winnings, which he suggested all lotto winners avoid. Whether you accept the 30-year annuity at $23 million per year, or take the single lump-sum payout, Cuban was insistent that you not risk your lotto money as an investor.

“You don’t become a smart investor when you win the lottery,” he asserted. “Don’t make investments. You can put it in the bank and live comfortably — forever.”

He’s likely right. The odds of hitting a jackpot twice — once as a player and again as an investor — are exceptionally rare. Why risk financial peace of mind on the hope of making another astronomical amount of money?

“You will sleep a lot better knowing you won’t lose the money,” he said.

Since Cuban can’t be with you every step of the way on your newfound billionaire journey, he also recommended that lotto winners immediately hire tax attorneys. Such an attorney can guide you and your winnings through the convoluted series of state and federal tax laws that come with winning a huge sum of money overnight, and keep the IRS at bay.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/mark-cuban-unconventional-lottery-advice-121404048.html

And, Right On Cue, Gold Hits Another All Time High...

And, Right On Cue, Gold Hits Another All Time High...

Notes From The Fuield By James Hickman (Simon Black)  September 16, 2024

This is an anomaly we haven’t seen before.

Gold just hit yet another all-time high. But what’s strange is that, if you look at gold’s supply and demand fundamentals, the price should almost be falling. Not rising.

I’ll explain—

On the supply side, gold production is actually increasing slightly. The largest miner in the world, Newmont Mining, produced nearly 30% more gold in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023. And across the entire industry (according to the World Gold Council), global gold mining output is up slightly over 2023.

So much for shrinking supply.

But what about demand? Well, this is usually broken down into four main segments.

The first and (by far) largest segment of demand is jewelry. But global jewelry demand is down.

Signet Jewelers (which owns major jewelry brands like Kay, Zales, Jared, Blue Nile, and many others) has reported an 8.5% drop in revenue so far in 2024 versus 2023. Meanwhile China’s Gold Association reported a 27% decline in gold jewelry purchases in the first half of 2024.

Even on the high-end side, LVHM’s jewelry division (which includes the luxury brand Tiffany’s) also reported a 5.1% sales decline due to “an uncertain economic and geopolitical environment. . .”

So overall jewelry worldwide (which is THE biggest component of gold demand) is down. Worldwide.

The next segment which drives gold demand is investment demand, i.e. individual investors who buy bars and coins... but most often invest via Exchange-Traded Funds.

Well, the largest ETFs in North America (GLD and IAU, which comprise 80% of the market) are DOWN for the year, meaning they have been net SELLERS of gold, rather than buyers. Even in the month of August, these two combined for a big fat whopping 1.7 metric tons of net purchases, roughly $200 million.

That’s nowhere near enough to move the gold price.

Meanwhile, across the Pacific, all of Asia’s gold ETFs COMBINED only purchased a net 0.3 metric tons (i.e. $30 million) last month. Again, this is simply not enough demand to move the gold price.

And so far for the year, worldwide, gold ETF holdings are DOWN by about 44 metric tons.

The third category of gold demand is industrial use. You might already know, for example, that there’s about 50mg of gold in your mobile phone thanks to gold’s unique chemical properties as an electrical conductor.

So mobile phone producers (along with certain medical device manufacturers and a handful of other industries) also buy gold. It’s pretty small demand, though— industrial and technology use only makes up about 10% of global gold demand.

That said, it’s worth pointing out that iPhone sales (which is a good proxy for global mobile phone production) are down substantially, from a peak of $48 billion in Q1/2021 to just $39 billion in its most recent quarter.

So, to summarize, jewelry demand is flat or down. Investment demand for gold is flat or down. Industrial demand is too small to matter, but even that is down. Meanwhile, supply is rising.

Rising supply and falling demand? It seems like gold prices should be falling right now. And yet gold just reached yet another record high. What gives?

Well, as we’ve said before, the answer is central banks.

Poland is a great example; despite being a relatively small country, it bought 19 metric tons of gold last quarter alone. And it plans to buy at least another 125 tons in the future. That’s a lot of gold.

This is a trend taking place worldwide; central banks including China, Turkey, Qatar, India, Czech Republic, etc. have loaded up on gold this year. And in the second quarter of 2024, central banks purchased 183 metric tons of gold... which is far more than usual.

Central banks typically buy small amounts of gold, i.e. a few metric tons here and there. But over the past two years, they’ve been buying gold like crazy.

It’s pretty obvious why. They’re concerned about the world, and they’re concerned about the fate of the US dollar and US government finances.

Think about it— central banks around the world own TRILLIONS of dollars worth of US government bonds, i.e. US dollar foreign reserves. And they’re obviously worried.

Congress and the White House run outrageous budget deficits every year. The federal government’s dysfunction is a constant national embarrassment. The US national debt is set to soar by AT LEAST $22 trillion over the next decade. And inflation is far from being solved.

Foreign central banks know this. And they realize that, in a few years time, their trillions of US dollar reserves will be worth a lot less.

So they’re trying to do something about it now. And that means trading at least SOME of their dollars for gold... hence the feverish central bank gold purchases, and the all-time record high in the gold price.

We’ve already suggested that gold could easily go much higher... especially if Kamala wins. I think that’s easily a $10,000 gold price, which would suggest only a small percentage of US dollar foreign reserves invested in gold.

That doesn’t mean the gold price can’t fall in the meantime. Gold prices have been rising for so long, and, realistically, nothing goes up or down in a straight, uninterrupted line.

Some central banks will continue buying gold irrespective of its price. Others will be more conservative and try to play the market. Singapore’s central bank, for example, actually sold a bit of gold recently and are probably hoping for a pullback in prices to buy more.

But over the longer term, gold is still an extremely sensible hedge with a lot of upside.

Having said that, the real value we see right now is in gold miners.

Look at Newmont mining— and, this is not a recommendation, but just an example. Newmont is the world’s largest gold miner, i.e. more than 80% of its revenue is essentially gold.

Gold is at an all-time high, yet Newmont’s stock price is about 40% below its record high from a few years ago.

Sure, it’s a much more complicated story; you have to consider gross margins and mining costs and country risk, etc. But the larger point is that gold stocks (especially relative to gold) are very cheap right now... especially when you consider where gold could be a few years from now.

To your freedom,  James Hickman   Co-Founder, Schiff Sovereign LLC

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/trends/and-right-on-cue-gold-hits-another-all-time-high-151422/

Here’s How Social Media Warps Our Perceptions of Debt

I’m a Debt Expert: Here’s How Social Media Warps Our Perceptions of Debt

September 4, 2024 Vance Cariaga  GoBankingRates

Fancy meals, international vacations, luxurious nights out on the town — people share everything on social media. Or so it would seem.

One of the biggest problems with social media is that people only share what they want you to see. They’re not often sharing the difficult things we all go through, or even the mundane day-to-day life moments. And that has the power to skew the way we see all sorts of things — including debt.

This selective sharing can warp our perception of finances, according to Marc Russell, a Financial Literacy Educator, founder of BetterWallet and member of the Financial Board of  National Debt Relief, a company that provides debt settlement and relief services.

“Social media is often viewed as a ‘highlight reel’ that only includes success and not the natural struggles of the creators,” Russell said in an email. “You see this often with some financial content.

Creators are quick to speak about the big financial goals they reached, like paying off debt, but not often do they discuss the sacrifices and the support they received throughout the journey.”

A More Honest Look

Russell has plenty of expertise in this area in his role as an active financial coach across various social media platforms. At National Debt Relief, he’s part of a team whose mission is to redefine the debt-settlement journey by empowering, supporting and guiding clients so they can improve their financial wellness..

Too often, Russell says, not enough information is shared on social media that provides a rounded view of the risks involved with debt.

“Creators won’t discuss cutting back on the things they love and mistakes they made along the way to becoming debt-free,” Russell said. “To be fair, I believe sharing the success motivates people to get started, but we all know that most financial goals are sometimes a long and arduous task that takes a high level of daily commitment.

The entire process can be daunting, and if the person you follow is only sharing the wins and not the complete story, it’s easy to lose motivation after the first rush of excitement.”

Another problem with social media is that algorithms favor short, snappy posts or videos — especially with TikTok. As Russel explained, the algorithm currently rewards creators if they post short, yet engaging videos.

“The challenge is that 30-second videos often include a hook, a little bit of context and a call to action,” he said. “The lack of context can be damaging to viewers, because it assumes that everything is a quick fix and there are limited steps to achieving their goal. This is particularly bad as it relates to paying off debt.”

Why it Matters

TO READ MORE:  https://www.gobankingrates.com/net-worth/debt/social-media-warps-perceptions-of-debt/?hyperlink_type=manual&link_placement=morefrom_link&link_position=8

How To Access and Use Your Bank’s Financial Education Resources

How To Access and Use Your Bank’s Financial Education Resources

Kellan Jansen  Sun, September 8, 2024  GOBankingRates

Some research says only 57% of U.S. adults are financially literate. Those who aren’t financially literate struggle to make informed spending, saving and budgeting decisions. But whatever your level of financial knowledge, everyone has encountered problems they need help to solve.

If that’s where you’re at, your bank can probably help. Many institutions now have free learning resources available to customers. These can teach you new concepts, help you make complex calculations or just make it a little more fun to manage your money.

Accessing Your Bank’s Free Resources

Generally, your bank’s website is the best place to look for these resources. Check the site’s menu bar for something like “learning resources,” “calculators” or “virtual coaching.” Click on whatever you find, and your bank will guide you from there.

Just note that you may need to get on your bank’s smartphone app to access everything. For instance, financial gamification is the concept of using gameplay to make managing money more engaging. If your bank offers it, you may get access only through an app.

If you don’t like having to look things up online, give your bank a call. An employee should be happy to direct you to what you need.

Types of Financial Resources Available

With that out of the way, it’s time to look at some common types of resources banks offer. Here are five you may get value from. Keep in mind that your bank may offer more than these.

Online Articles

Many banks have blogs where they share financial articles. Those can be good resources for learning new things. For example, maybe you’re ready to start saving for retirement but don’t know how to start. A bank’s blog might have articles that answer your questions.

You could learn whether a Roth or traditional IRA is better for your goals — and the tax implications of each. Or you could read about investment strategies that will put your money to work.

It’s true that a lot of this is easy to find on Google. But if you’re making financial decisions, you want the information you’re basing them on to come from trusted sources, and your bank should be trustworthy.

Financial Coaching

Some banks also offer financial coaching. This means meeting with a bank employee to discuss your personal financial situation and goals. You may be able to do that virtually as well as in person. But it depends on your bank.

Coaching is great for tough problems you can’t find answers to yourself. Here are some of the things you could discuss:

TO READ MORE:  https://news.yahoo.com/finance/news/access-bank-financial-education-resources-210022906.html