Sierra Madre Precious Metals

13 Tax Deductions You Can Claim Without Itemizing

Lowering your tax burden is one of the ways to get ahead financially, and knowing how to do so is crucial to financial success, whether it’s tax season or not.

The good news is that there are lots of deductions available from the IRS. There is, of course, the standard deduction of $16,100 for individuals and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly in 2026, which is usually good enough for most people.

You may be aware of deductions for things like mortgage interest and charitable contributions. Still, there are other deductions taxpayers can take advantage of, called “above-the-line” deductions, that won’t require you to itemize. Here are 13 of them… (Continue to full article)

Trump Says Gas Prices Will Fall ‘Like a Rock’ After Iran War Ends

The price of oil remains above $100 per barrel, and gasoline prices are at four-year highs.

President Donald Trump said on April 30 that gasoline prices would plummet once the war with Iran ends, even as U.S. drivers face the highest pump prices in four years amid ongoing disruptions to global oil supply.

Speaking during a press event in the Oval Office, Trump linked elevated fuel costs directly to the ongoing conflict and the continued closure of key shipping routes, while expressing the conviction that ample global supply would quickly push prices lower once unrestricted crude transit resumes in a post-war environment.

Bull-Shoot!!! (Continue to full article)

10 Nickels That Are Worth Way More Than Face Value

Believe it or not, there are plenty of valuable nickels out there that could just be taking up space in your coin jar. These five-cent pieces could be worth dramatically more than their face value depending on when and how they were made, and if they contain any unique imperfections.

Just make sure to examine each coin for the specific details and minting marks. Finding valuable nickels could become one way to supplement your income simply from looking more closely around your home.

Let’s dig into 10 nickels that are worth way more than five cents… (Continue to full article)

Social Security Benefit Cuts Are Coming — and President Trump Shoulders Some of the Blame

Social Security trust funds face depletion in the early 2030s (around 2033), after which payroll taxes would only cover approximately 77% of scheduled benefits, requiring Congress to choose between raising the payroll tax to ~15%, reducing benefits by 20-25%, raising the wage cap, or increasing retirement age.

The delayed policy response to Social Security’s structural funding gap—where fewer workers per retiree (2.7 in 2025 dropping to 2.3 by 2035) cannot sustain current benefit levels—creates market risk through reduced consumer spending, as retirees account for roughly 19% of total U.S. consumption.

Markets and policy headlines have offered up a familiar pattern lately: long-term risks get discussed loudly, then quietly kicked a few years down the road. Social Security is the clearest example of that dynamic. The system still pays full benefits today, but the math underneath it is shifting in a way that investors — and retirees — can’t ignore forever.

So here’s the real question behind today’s headline: benefit cuts are coming, and could be as soon as six years away, yet it’s just as much political shorthand for a much slower-moving problem.

But let’s unpack what the data actually says… (Continue to full article)

No more full Social Security COLA for all? New proposal can help preserve program, but would hurt millions of US seniors

Social Security is a popular but expensive program. With the trust fund facing depletion in just a few years, experts have suggested different ways to cut costs and make the program more sustainable, including raising the full retirement age or eliminating the payroll tax cap for high-income earners.

Now, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), a bipartisan nonprofit, is adding another innovative solution to the mix: limiting cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for the highest-income earners

In a white paper published in October that cites calculations by the Urban Institute, the organization says the proposed change “could be a rapid, thoughtful, and progressive way to help restore solvency and put Social Security on a sustainable path.”

But, if implemented, this shift could make it difficult for some beneficiaries to sustain their purchasing power later in retirement.

Here’s a closer look at why this change is being proposed and how it could impact your retirement plans… (Continue to full article)

Here Are 10 Coins You Should Never Spend – They Could Pay for Your Retirement

Coins are considered valuable for a range of reasons, such as age, rarity, or minting errors. With news that the U.S. will no longer produce pennies as of November 2025, you may be wondering if coins you have sitting around in an old change jar will increase in value.

For now, most pennies and other circulating coins are not worth much more than face value. There are some, however, that could be worth thousands and may even help get you on track for retirement.

Check your change jars for these 10 coins that have sold for an actual fortune… (Continue to full article)

Medicare Warning: Inpatient Hospital Copays Hit Their Highest Levels Ever — What Seniors Now Owe Per Day

If you haven’t checked your Medicare costs recently, you may be in for a surprise. Hospital stays are getting more expensive and not just by a little. New 2026 Medicare figures show that inpatient hospital copays have reached some of their highest levels ever, especially for longer stays. For many seniors, that means thousands of dollars in unexpected bills after just a few extra days in the hospital. Here’s what you need to know about the latest Medicare inpatient hospital copays and what you could owe per day.

The First 60 Days Aren’t Free!

Medicare uses something called a “benefit period” instead of a calendar year. A new benefit period begins after you’ve been out of the hospital for 60 consecutive days. If you’re readmitted after that, the entire cost structure starts over, including the deductible. This means you could pay the $1,736 deductible multiple times in one year.

Not to mention, hospital stays often lead to time in a skilled nursing facility, which has its own costs. After 20 days, you’ll pay $217 per day for days 21–100 in 2026. These charges are separate from hospital copays and can add up quickly. Many seniors are surprised to learn this care isn’t fully covered long-term. It’s another example of how gaps in Medicare coverage can create financial pressure.

BEND OVER – THEY will DRIVE!!! (Continue to full article)

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Call Jeffrey Bennett (Kettle Moraine, Ltd.) who has over 35 years experience in the precious metals markets – first as an investor and subsequently – with over 30 years as a respected member of the industry for guidance and assistance with your needs.

Kettle Moraine, Ltd.
P.O. Box 579
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
602-799-8214
kettlemoraineltd@cox.net

Gold prices consolidated near historic levels on Wednesday (April 15th), holding steady as markets balanced fragile optimism over renewed U.S.-Iran peace talks against a backdrop of enduring geopolitical risk and damaged global energy infrastructure.

The precious metal was steady near $4,850 an ounce in Asian trading hours, following a more than 2% surge in the previous session. That rally was fueled by reports that Washington and Tehran are arranging a second round of negotiations in the coming days, aiming to settle a conflict now in its tenth week. Continue reading →

The economy has been the number one issue for U.S. voters for several years in a row, and it isn’t because things are good. Consumer confidence is at an all-time low, inflation is starting to accelerate once again, mass layoffs are being conducted all over the nation, and delinquencies and foreclosures are soaring.

Nobody can dispute any of the facts that I am about to share with you. We have an enormous economic mess on our hands, and now the crisis in the Middle East threatens to plunge the entire global economic system into chaos in the months ahead. In other words, conditions are not good now and the outlook for the future is not promising at all.

The following are 18 shocking facts that prove that the U.S. economy is in far worse shape than most people realize… Continue reading →

US Gas Station Chain Closing 600 Locations as It Shifts Strategy
7-Eleven is reportedly closing over 600 stores across North America this year as part of a multi-year business restructuring.

This follows the closure of 700 locations in 2024 and 2025, with parent company Seven & i Holdings aiming to improve finances before a planned 2027 initial public offering.

The company is shifting its strategy from small, traditional shops to larger stores that prioritize fresh food and a wider variety of drinks, reflecting a broader industry trend.
Some sites scheduled for closure will be converted into “wholesale fuel stores” rather than being shut down completely.

Analysts suggest 7-Eleven is undergoing a complete overhaul, moving towards a hybrid model combining convenience, grocery, and fast-food, prioritizing store quality and design over sheer number of locations… (Continue to full article)

Social Security Has a $25 Trillion Deficit – Here’s What Congress Is Doing About It
Social Security is one of the most important senior benefits today. And without it, millions of older Americans would most likely struggle to make ends meet.

The problem is that Social Security is facing a massive funding shortfall. The program’s Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund, which pays retirement benefits, is expected to run dry by 2032, according to a recent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. Once those reserves are depleted, Social Security may only be able to pay 77% of scheduled benefits, according to the program’s Trustees, resulting in a 23% cut.

Given the timing of Social Security’s insolvency date, lawmakers need to act quickly to prevent sweeping benefit cuts that could harm current and future retirees alike… (Continue to full article)

Over 1,500 Store Closures Announced in 2026 Retail Bloodbath
The retail sector has already faced significant headwinds this year, with restaurants, stores, and various businesses announcing mass closures.

Recently, the legendary department store Macy‘s disclosed plans to close 14 locations across 12 states, while Saks Global, another major retailer, has filed for bankruptcy. Industry analysts are sounding the alarm about this retail downturn, warning that many additional companies could fall victim to it.

Retail expert Neil Saunders shared with Daily Mail that this trend is expected to continue through 2026. “Against the backdrop of rising costs, a lot of retailers are looking to become more efficient,” he explained. “Part of this involves closing underperforming stores that are not producing sales growth or contributing to profits.”

Business Insider has documented over 1,500 store closures thus far this year, including well-known brands like Francesca’s and Wendy’s… (Continue to full article)

Largest Copper, Gold, and Silver Deposit Found in the Past Three Decades May Change Global Markets

Tunnel in the mine

Argentina’s mining sector has surprised many observers with a deposit that sets a new high mark for precious and industrial metals.

This find, located near the rugged Andean highlands, highlights a shift in the nation’s economic possibilities and introduces bold goals for its development.

Large-scale extraction carries challenges such as waste management and safeguarding aquifers. Engineers say advanced water treatment systems, tailings disposal methods, and real-time monitoring tools will be critical.

Investors exploring Argentina’s deposit remain optimistic. Some compare the current excitement to other legendary metal discoveries that propelled countries from local players to top exporters… (Continue to full article)

Finance commentator Adam Snyder, speaking on his Snyder Reports channel, says Americans may need to get used to another small but symbolic change in everyday life: after the penny’s phaseout, the nickel could now be next on the chopping block.

In Snyder’s telling, this is not just a quirky coin story. It is tied to rising metal costs, supply chain stress, war-linked commodity pressure, and a broader push away from physical cash. He argues that if production costs keep moving in the wrong direction, the government may decide the nickel is no longer worth keeping around.

That may sound minor at first. It is only five cents, after all. But as Snyder framed it, this kind of shift says a lot about where the economy is heading and what happens when the cost of making money starts exceeding the money itself. Continue reading →

For now, everything looks wonderful and coming-up-roses for a good many top-tier and upper-middle class folks. Just wait. The other shoe’s fixin’ to fall.

The American economy today presents a glittering facade: stock indexes shattering records under the current administration, retirement accounts swelling for those who own them, and headlines proclaiming a new era of prosperity. Yet beneath this surface lies a structural fragility that no amount of official optimism can conceal.

For the average working family — whether a factory hand in Tennessee, a small-business owner scraping by, or a retiree stretching a fixed income — the warning signs are unmistakable. We are hurtling toward an economic collapse that will dwarf the 2008 financial crisis and rival, if not exceed, the misery of the Great Depression. The reasons are not mysterious or accidental. They flow directly from decades of government meddling, central-bank manipulation, and a refusal to let markets — real markets, governed by the discipline of profit and loss — do their job.

At the heart of the danger sits an unfunded federal liability bomb of roughly $169 trillion in off-the-books obligations, a figure that dwarfs official debt and represents promises future taxpayers cannot possibly keep. Add to that a wealth pyramid that has grown dangerously steep, a stock market now propped up as a matter of “national security,” and a culture that shields giant corporations from the consequences of their own folly.

The result is not sustainable prosperity but a house of cards built on borrowed money, printed dollars, and political favoritism. Americans of every background must prepare — not with panic, but with the clear-eyed realism that liberty demands. Continue reading →