Your Survival Guy

Preparing your investments and family for when disaster strikes.

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Even Without Food and Gas, Inflation is Soaring

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You have probably heard politicians and central bankers who dismiss inflation in gasoline and food, saying they're "non-core." They want you to forget that these are the most important items you buy each week. They say those prices are too volatile to count. You've noticed just how volatile they are when you balance your accounts. Instead, they want you to focus on "core" inflation. The Federal Reserve prefers you to follow an inflation measuring index known as Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), which excludes prices of food and energy. The problem for them, and for you, is that … [Read more...]

Time to Save, Troubles Dining Out, and Intelligence on Yellowstone

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In my conversations with you, you’re telling me the real estate market is slowing down. That’s not to say there’s no one looking to buy. Demand is still hot in certain places. One client out in Jackson Hole said all the realtors are looking for bartending jobs. The tech bust might have something to do with it. Higher rates might be in play too. But overall, it could still be a lack of supply. Your Survival Guy’s been finding some good values with French Chardonnay that aren’t too oaky. One is by the glass at the Clarke Cooke House in Newport, RI. It’s a Castelbeaux, Vin de Pays, FR, for … [Read more...]

Biden Says Americans Will Suffer Inflation “As Long as It Takes” to Defeat Putin

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Joe Biden has repeatedly doubled down on his accusations that the inflation American families are suffering through is Vladimir Putin's fault, even though price increases began before the war in Ukraine. Now, Biden has admitted that Americans will be forced to suffer inflation "as long as it takes" to defeat Putin. The Daily Mail's Emily Goodin reports: President Joe Biden on Thursday said Americans should pay higher gas prices for 'as long as it takes' as he doubled down on blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for the United States' domestic woes. Biden, in a press conference wrapping … [Read more...]

RURAL RENAISSANCE: America Finds the Country Again

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You know that Americans are escaping the city. You've read here about their efforts to find a better life in America, away from the taxes, crime, and pollution of America's big blue cities. Americans have been happy to find new homes in long-neglected country towns where they can work from home and raise their children in safe, healthy communities. At The Wall Street Journal, Sarah Chaney Cambon and Andrew Mollica report on America's rural renaissance, writing: Even in the face of inflation and the risk of recession, the broad economic prospects for rural America may be looking up for the … [Read more...]

SECRETLY INSOLVENT: Crypto Exchanges Hiding Their Troubles

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You know that crypto speculators have been suffering. Big drops in the value of cryptocurrencies have exposed some of the firms that were swimming naked when the tide went out. Now, the founder of FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, a mega-crypto owner, says that there are certain crypto exchanges that are already operating in insolvency. Forbes's Steven Ehrlich reports: The question on everybody’s mind in the crypto world is whether we’ve reached the market bottom. Nearly $2 trillion in crypto market value has evaporated since November. Two bellwether digital assets Luna, a $40 billion crypto asset … [Read more...]

Why Work When Taxes Take It All?

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Your Survival Guy witnessed firsthand on my recent fact-gathering trip to Paris just how taxes can impact the labor force. Obviously, the business world is wiping the Covid crust from its eyes, but there’s a fine line between government assistance that creates value, and that which does not. When taxes are high, and assistance discourages work, there's much less incentive to rejoin the labor market. When speaking with locals in Paris, they told me some workers will never come back to the workforce if they can help it. Do they feel their taxes are allocated well? It’s a simple question. It’s … [Read more...]

How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Paris

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When you go to Paris, and I hope you will soon, you want to hit the ground running. Our planning begins months before we depart, gathering intelligence on places we want to eat and of course stay. One of the key reasons to stay at a palace hotel is for the concierge desk. You know how much we love Le Bristol Hotel and that’s one of the reasons why—the service. In our planning stages stateside, we work with Tara Hyland , ASA, MCC, at Independent Luxury Travel Advisor, an affiliate of Travel Edge, to help get us to where we want to go. Well before we land, we have a pretty long list of … [Read more...]

Your Survival Guy in Paris: Awakened from His Slumber, “Dad, I’m Going to London”

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You know, it's the little things in life that matter. At Le Bristol Hotel, it's the ornate China used for your morning cappuccino. Or it’s the place setting that's perfectly adjusted to make room for a late arrival to your party, whose alarm apparently never went off, making it "no inconvenience at all monsieur/madame." A visit by Madame Marshall inquiring about your dinner the night before and plans for the day makes one feel as special as the most beautiful café setting in all of Paris. Talking with Jean Marie in the lobby before heading out to the rough and tumble St. Honoré gives you … [Read more...]

Your Survival Guy: Clearing the Decks, Buying a Boat, Seeing the World and More

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OK, some updates for you from Your Survival Guy to clear the decks. The new Grady White is in (engines too) and ready for delivery. It’s a Canyon 306 with twin Yamaha 300s. The name: Tom Sawyer. I’ll send you pics next week. Here’s how to buy a boat. Had lunch with clients yesterday here in Newport, RI overlooking the water on a beautiful June afternoon. We’ve been working together now for twenty years. Over that time, the relationship has expanded, through referrals, to six other relationships with their friends and family. If you feel someone you care about would like to talk with … [Read more...]