Rising Mortgage Costs & Inflation - Andrew Ragusa- #6174

Kerry Lutz and Chris Markowski engaged in a comprehensive discussion about the current political and economic climate, highlighting concerns over rising bond yields and skepticism regarding China's economic stability, particularly its real estate challenges and ineffective stimulus measures. Markowski criticized the recent 50 basis point rate cut as unjustified, pointing out the alarming national debt situation where interest payments dominate the federal budget. He expressed worries about the commercial real estate market, suggesting it is in a worse state than during the Great Recession, and criticized the government's "extend and pretend" approach to debt management. The conversation also touched on taxation, with Markowski advocating for a national sales tax over income tax, emphasizing the need for a repeal of the income tax to avoid complications. Find Chris here: watchdogonwallstreet.com Find Kerry here: FSN and here: inflation.cafe  

Kerry Lutz and Andrew Ragusa engaged in a comprehensive discussion about the New York real estate market, focusing on the effects of rising mortgage payments and inflation on home prices, noting that homes are selling for unexpectedly high prices despite needing repairs, as buyers are becoming less selective. Lutz expressed skepticism regarding the government's ability to effectively address these challenges, while Ragusa underscored the importance of property ownership amidst these difficulties. They also observed a trend of individuals returning to urban areas due to employer demands, which is influencing market dynamics. Additionally, they shifted their focus to investment trends, highlighting a growing preference for hard assets like gold and silver as a hedge against economic uncertainty, with Ragusa noting the increasing appeal of physical assets amid stock market fluctuations. Lutz, an experienced investor in precious metals, remarked on the rising prices and future growth potential of gold and silver, while also discussing silver's practical applications in technology.  Find Andrew here: andrew_ragusa_ Find Kerry here: FSN and here: inflation.cafe

Kerry Lutz and David Erfle engaged in a detailed discussion about the recent positive trends in the gold and silver markets, highlighting significant price movements and market dynamics. Silver has notably surpassed the $32.50 resistance level, reaching $35, while gold prices have also seen substantial gains. Erfle pointed out that miners are consolidating in a bullish flag pattern, breaking through key resistance levels, which has rekindled interest from retail investors after a decade of decline. Despite these gains, both the GDX and GDXJ indices still have considerable growth potential compared to historical highs. The conversation also touched on the upcoming Q3 earnings announcement from Newmont, with expectations of strong results due to rising gold prices, which could further attract fund managers as the stock market shows signs of weakness. The discussion further explored the evolving landscape of the mining industry, with major companies acquiring junior mining assets to enhance their portfolios, particularly focusing on high-margin deposits. Erfle noted the relative ease of obtaining mining permits in certain countries, which could be expedited by changes in political leadership. Both speakers emphasized the importance of modern, environmentally friendly mining practices and the growing industrial demand for silver, which has been experiencing a four-year deficit. They also cautioned potential investors about the risks associated with buying silver, including scams and the need for due diligence. The conversation concluded with a reflection on the importance of capable management in the junior mining sector, underscoring the need for vigilance and education in navigating this volatile market. Find David here:  JuniorMinerJunky Find Kerry here: FSN and here: inflation.cafe

Kerry Lutz engaged with Dr. Jonathan Newman from the Mises Institute to discuss the organization's commitment to promoting Austrian economics and individual liberty. Jonathan articulated that the Mises Institute serves as an educational platform advocating for free market principles while critiquing government intervention in economic affairs. He emphasized that Austrian economics is rooted in the analysis of individual actions and market dynamics, which leads to a preference for minimal government involvement. The conversation also touched on the historical role of government in monetary control, with Jonathan referencing Mises' insights on currency devaluation and the shift towards fiat currencies, which has resulted in inflation and financial instability. Lutz introduced the concept of competing currencies, highlighting the emergence of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as alternatives to government-managed money. The discussion further explored the implications of fiat currency, drawing historical parallels to the Roman Empire and the consequences of debasing currency. Jonathan noted the U.S. government's departure from the gold standard in 1971, which has led to unchecked spending and an expansion of government size. They expressed concern over current U.S. monetary policy and its potential repercussions. The conversation also covered recent developments in Argentina under President Javier Milei, who has taken steps to reduce inflation and government spending. Find Jonathan here: mises.org Find Kerry here: FSN and here: inflation.cafe

Kerry Lutz and Anthony Saccaro discussed the current economic landscape as the election approaches. Saccaro shared insights from a successful investment in Apple and stressed the importance of a diversified portfolio, using historical examples of companies like Blockbuster and Kodak that failed to adapt to market changes. They addressed the Federal Reserve's mandates of controlling inflation and unemployment, noting a recent uptick in unemployment to 4.3% and inflation remaining in the mid-twos. Both expressed concerns about the potential for a recession and the misconception that the stock market is always a safe haven. The conversation also covered the importance of strategic investing according to individual life stages, especially given economic volatility. Saccaro recommended a conservative investment approach focused on income generation through interest and dividends to ensure financial security in retirement. Find Anthony here: AnthonySacarro.com Find Kerry here: FSN and here: inflation.cafe

Kerry Lutz welcomed Ross Givens back to the Financial Survival Network, where they discussed Givens' impressive trading journey, including a 23% gain since May 29th, and his investment in Dominion Energy, which has appreciated 15% while providing dividends. Givens shared insights on their investment strategy focused on insider trading, which has achieved a remarkable 1900% compounded growth since 2017, highlighting specific cases like CATX and Amelix that demonstrate the potential of insider buying. He emphasized the importance of risk management, recommending profit-taking at 25% gains and discussing the SEC's short swing rule for stability. In options trading, Givens advised against stop losses for smaller stocks and suggested investing a portion of capital in call options with a three to six-month horizon, noting that a 20% stock increase can double the option's value. Both Lutz and Givens acknowledged the challenges of finding effective investment strategies in a competitive market, encouraging exploration of lesser-known stocks for higher returns and promoting their monthly training sessions to educate investors. Lutz expressed gratitude for Givens' insights and looked forward to future discussions. Find Ross here: tradersagency.com View Ross's latest webinar here: https://webinar.tradersagency.com/ins... Find Kerry here: FSN and here: inflation.cafe

Robert Siciliano highlighted the critical issue of identity theft, sharing personal experiences and emphasizing the importance of proactive measures such as regular password changes, two-factor authentication, and identity theft protection services. He discussed the risks associated with SIM swapping, particularly in the cryptocurrency sector, explaining how attackers often compromise email accounts through phishing to reset passwords and gain access t o financial accounts. Siciliano also addressed the challenge of identifying fake IDs, noting that many employees may not be trained to spot subtle differences, which can lead to security breaches. He recommended strong security practices, including unique passcodes and collaboration between cryptocurrency companies and telecom providers to detect unauthorized SIM swaps. Kerry Lutz contributed by sharing his own experiences with bank security measures, reinforcing the need for consumers to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their personal information against evolving threats. Find Robert here: protectnowllc.com and here: /safr.me Find Kerry here: FSN and here: Inflation.Cafe

The meeting focused on the historical context of gold prices, with Bob Hoye discussing the influence of past financial bubbles on the market and emphasizing that the strength of the U.S. dollar is often overstated. He anticipates a rise in the real price of gold, which would be advantageous for gold miners, and suggests investment strategies that include three to four-year good-grade corporate bonds as a safer choice in light of potential market volatility. Hoye also highlighted a selection of promising junior gold stocks, indicating their potential for substantial gains in an upward-trending market. Find Bob's charts here:  Charts and Markets -Jr. Gold Find Kerry here: FSN and here: Inflation.Cafe

Kerry Lutz and attorney Parag Amin discussed the critical importance of disaster preparedness for businesses in the wake of hurricanes in Florida, emphasizing the need for proactive planning and adequate insurance coverage, particularly business interruption and flood insurance. Amin highlighted the ongoing insurance crisis in the state, driven by the increasing frequency of hurricanes, which has led many insurers to exit the market. He expressed concern over recent legal changes that hinder homeowners from recovering attorney's fees in disputes with insurance companies, arguing that this creates an unfair disadvantage for policyholders. The conversation also touched on the balance between regulation and capitalism in the insurance sector, with Amin advocating for more regulation to ensure accountability and consumer protection, while Lutz shared positive experiences with certain insurance providers. Additionally, Amin stressed the importance of thorough documentation for insurance claims, including maintaining organized records and a clear timeline of communications, and provided resources for further assistance. The meeting concluded with a reminder of the unpredictability of disasters and the necessity of being prepared. Find Parag here: lawpla.com Find Kerry here: FSN and here: Inflation.Cafe

Kerry Lutz and Herman Dulce, Jr. discussed the critical need for funding in business survival, highlighting that 80% of businesses fail within five years due to insufficient capital. He shared his personal journey into the funding sector, which led to the establishment of Bellison Enterprises, through which he has facilitated over $100 million in funding and helped more than 100 individuals transition from employment to entrepreneurship, resulting in the creation of seven millionaires over the past decade. Dulce emphasized the advantages of business credit cards, including higher credit limits and introductory 0% interest rates, while underscoring the necessity of a solid business plan and responsible debt management to avoid negative impacts on personal credit. He also discussed the potential benefits of transferring personal debt to business credit to lower interest rates and enhance credit scores, advocating for financial literacy as an essential component of business success and inviting attendees to reach out for further financial guidance. Find Herman here: Bella Sloan Enterprises Find Kerry here: FSN and here: Inflation.Cafe