Peter's Blog

US Savings Rate at Lowest Level Since the Great Recession

Americans are spending money, but it appears they are dipping into their savings to do it. According to data released by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, savings last month fell to a level not seen since 2007. The 3.1% rate in September was the lowest since it dipped to 3.0% in December 2007. In […]

In Fed We Trust…Or Do We?

There’s been a lot of focus on the Federal Reserve lately. Earlier this month, the central bank launched efforts to shrink its balance sheet after years of quantitative easing. Most analysts also expect one more interest rate increase this year. Then there is rampant speculation about who will take the reins at the Fed when Janet […]

Some Doubt about the Economic Benefits of GOP Tax Reform

There’s a lot of optimism out there that passage of the Trump tax plan will juice the economy. Many analysts say tax cut optimism is one of the factors that continue to push stocks up, and that has created headwinds for gold and silver. But as we’ve pointed out, there are reasons to question this mainstream […]

The QE Zombie Walks Among Us: SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap Podcast Oct. 27, 2017

The SchiffGold Friday Gold Wrap podcast combines a succinct summary of the week’s precious metals news coupled with thoughtful analysis. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

Fun on Friday: Who the Heck Is She?

One day, a kid and his dad were walking along the shore of Battery Park in New York City. Looking out across the water, the kid spies the Statue of Liberty in the distance. “Hey dad,” the kid says, tugging on his father’s arm with one hand, pointing at the statue with the other. “Is […]

Quantitative Easing Lives on in the EU

Central bank quantitative easing is a little like a zombie. It dies – but it never really dies. There’s been a lot of focus on the Federal Reserve raising interest rates and unwinding its balance sheet. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the Fed isn’t the only game in town. While most people consider QE dead […]

Alabama Bill Would Exempt Gold and Silver Bullion from Sales Tax; Help Encourage Its Use as Money

A bill prefiled in the Alabama House for the 2018 session would exempt the purchase of gold and silver bullion from state sales and use tax, encouraging its use and taking the first step toward breaking the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Ronald Johnson (R-Sylacauga) prefiled House Bill 19 (HB19). The legislation would exempt the gross […]

Gold Plays a Key Role in Chinese and Russian Plans for Economic Independence

China wants to dethrone the dollar. But of course, it’s not alone. Russia would also love to knock the US off the top of the economic mountain. Putin is also positioning his country to free itself from the dollar-dominated global financial system. Like its neighbor to the east, Russia is using gold to pave the […]

Are You Pawn Shop Ready?

The pawn shop is probably the last place you want to go if you find yourself strapped for cash. But an interesting article in a Filipino publication reveals a problem millennials face if they find themselves in a cash-crunch. They may have a harder time liquidating assets than their parents because they primarily spend their […]

China Aims to Dethrone the Dollar

Last month, the Nikkei Asian Review reported on a move by China that could take a first step toward dethroning the US dollar. The proposed launch of a gold-backed, yuan-denominated oil futures contract got a lot of attention in alt-media circles, but didn’t make much of a splash in the mainstream. But now the mainstream […]