For much of the nation, it feels like we are in a permanent economic crisis with no end in sight. I have been documenting our long-term economic decline for years, and now we have reached a point where Americans have literally never felt this bad about the state of the U.S. economy. Considering everything that we have been through over the last several decades, that is saying a lot. So how will the American people be feeling if economic conditions continue to deteriorate? We might want to be thinking about that, because all of the long-term trends are taking us in the wrong direction very rapidly.
American attitudes just hit a milestone of sorts. On Friday, the University of Michigan reported that its index of consumer sentiment fell to the lowest level ever recorded in 70-odd years of surveys.
Sentiment was already low at the start of this year, but it fell sharply after the Iran war began at the end of February and sent gas prices sharply higher.
Until this year, the previous lowest level was in June 2022, when inflation was running at the highest level in decades. Friday’s sentiment reading was 10% below even that number.
“Prices remain extremely high, labor markets have unambiguously weakened in the last four years, and now we’re in the middle of a war,” said Joanne Hsu, director of consumer surveys for the University of Michigan. “I don’t think the fact that we’re lower than June 2022 should come as a surprise to anyone.”… (Continue to full article)
Viral 2006 Grocery Receipt Reveals 20-Year Price Inflation
A 2006 grocery receipt has resurfaced on X, sparking a viral conversation about food inflation that’s garnered over 12 million views, and thousands of reposts and comments.
The receipt was discovered by a woman going through her mother’s old belongings, and documents a grocery haul of 79 items for a total of just $161.87, a figure that would be nearly impossible to replicate today.
The Twitter post is drawing attention from consumers, serving as a reminder of how dramatically food costs have increased over the past two decades.
While prices will naturally vary based on package sizes and store locations, a comparison of selected items from 2006 to 2026 prices at Walmart reveals some inflation… (Continue to full article)
Groceries Just Had the Biggest Price Hike in Years. It’s About to Get Even WORSE!
Federal inflation data confirms what you may have been feeling already: Groceries are getting more expensive. Unfortunately, things may be about to get a whole lot worse, economists are warning.
The price of groceries rose 2.9% in April compared to the same month a year earlier, according to government figures released in May. That was the highest year-over-year inflation rate for the category since August 2023.
When compared to the same time last year, fruits and vegetables have seen some of the biggest price hikes. Tomatoes are 40% more expensive now than they were this time last year. Bad growing weather, tariffs, and rising fuel prices have all contributed to the huge change in tomato prices.
Coffee, another imported product, is 19% more expensive than it was last spring… (Continue to full article)
As Each Day goes on… The Sh*t Just Keeps Hitting the Fan
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.
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Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
602-799-8214
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