Don't u realize DEBT is merely a form of SLAVERY, suckers?--debt-slavery is what US Federal Reserve is all about, issuing currency, not real money

[Apollonian]

US Federal Reserve is just a legalized COUNTERFEITING scam, issuing currency, not real money, which money must be commodity, gold/silver being best commodities to be used as money--because gold/silver have REAL ("intrinsic") value, whereas currency is WORTHLESS by itself. See Mises.org for expo; use their site search-engine for expo on particular terms, like "fiat-currency," and "central-banking." That's why currency can be issued nearly INFINITELY, which causes "INFLATION." Thus it's easy for these criminals to loan currency, getting people in debt, making them slaves, suckers--THINK ABOUT THIS, FOOLS.​

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53% Of Millennial And Gen Z Consumers Are Resorting To “Buy Now, Pay Later” Services And Racking Up Enormous Debt​

Women System March 28, 2024 2 Comments

Link: https://www.womensystems.com/2024/03/53-of-millennial-and-gen-z-consumers.html/

Recent data from analytics company LexisNexis Risk Solutions found that 53 percent of millennials (ages 30 to 44) and Gen Z (ages 18 to 29) consumers are now using "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) services as a financial lifeline for their daily essentials to adapt to inflation.

BNPL providers like Afterpay Limited and Klarna Bank AB have witnessed a sudden shift in BNPL trends among their younger users over the past few years.

In 2021 and 2022, millennial and Gen Z consumers often used Afterpay to purchase "apparel and accessories." However, in 2023, "apparel and accessories" fell behind the categories of "arts, travel and entertainment," "home and garden" and "hardware." Afterpay has also seen double- and triple-digit surges among the youngest users in spending from 2022 to 2023, including for contact lenses (465 percent), garbage bags (182 percent) and first-aid antiseptics (98 percent).

Meanwhile, young Klarna users began using its BNPL services for groceries while waiting for a paycheck to buy all essentials without sacrificing anything.

Benjamin Espinoza, a 27-year-old video editor from San Antonio, Texas, represents a growing demographic of Gen Z relying on BNPL services for their essential needs. Espinoza, who made less than $7,000 last year, recently used Klarna to spread out his $40 grocery bill.

BNPL spending, which initially started as a tool for one-time purchases, continues to fuel its popularity among consumers facing economic uncertainties. This significant increase lies beyond the convenience of splitting transactions into manageable payments. Instead, it lies in their accessibility and ease of integration into different shopping platforms.

Fear of credit card debt and its high interest rate fuels BNPL surge​

Nela Richardson, the chief economist of the ADP Research Institute, cites three main reasons for the popularity of BNPL services. Firstly, the high demand due to the late stages of the pandemic. Secondly, the government relief that supported it is almost over. Lastly, credit card interest rates have gone over 20 percent with the Federal Reserve increasing rates.

In other words, the fear of spiraling deeper into credit card debt, often exacerbated by exorbitant interest rates exceeding 20 percent, has fueled a notable surge in the adoption of BNPL services among consumers.

For instance, for 27-year-old Texas mom Savannah Thrower and others like her, BNPL services present a viable alternative to traditional credit cards. Thrower said BNPL services offer a way to manage expenses without the looming threat of hefty interest charges. She acknowledged the allure of credit cards but recognized their potential for overspending. So, she opts for BNPL services like Afterpay and PayPal to break down her purchases into manageable, interest-free installments.

The fear of falling into the same financial pitfalls witnessed during the aftermath of the 2010 financial crisis resonates strongly with the millennial generation. This explains why there are only 35 percent of traditional credit card holders among millennial and Gen Z consumers.

Matt Gross, senior director of communications at Affirm, noted that many millennials are turning to BNPL to avoid the burden of credit card debt, given their memories of the recession's impact on consumer bankruptcies, which peaked at 1.5 million in 2010.

"There is a whole generation of millennials like me who saw what happened in the wake of the financial crisis, and they don’t want to fall into that trap again," he said.

 

[Apollonian]

The effects of debt--serious business, suckers, Jew S A now paying TRILLION+ smackers, int. payment on debt--banks love it as u're more their slave, more likely to do as they demand, fools. U can't sue the big Pharma corp.s--notice that?--so they can poison u and others, and no legal liability.

 

[Apollonian]

The Recession Just Began, And Much Worse Than You Think​

April 4, 2024 8:29 am by CWR

Link: https://citizenwatchreport.com/the-recession-just-began-and-much-worse-than-you-think/

[see vid at site link, above]

The US economy has been struggling for some time, and the situation has worsened with the onset of a recession. The recession is here, and it’s not looking pretty. Despite the optimism and reassurances from various sources, the reality is that the recession is expected to have a severe impact. Today, we will examine the factors that have contributed to this economic downturn, the potential consequences, and the measures that can be taken to endure the difficult times ahead.
The silent depression – when we talk about the economy, we often hear about two types of data: hard and soft. Hard data includes tangible numbers like GDP growth, employment figures, and industrial production. Soft data, on the other hand, captures sentiments and perceptions, like consumer confidence and business optimism.
The soft data about the US economy today is not painting a great picture. Sentiment indicators are tanking, and they’re closely mirroring the trends we see in hard data. There is a decline in business activity, a decrease in new orders, and a reduction in backlogs – all pointing towards an unhealthy economy.

While the term “recession” typically conjures up images of mass layoffs, shuttered businesses, and widespread economic hardship, the current downturn is taking on a more disturbing form – one that could be described as a “recession light.” Rather than a sharp, dramatic contraction, we are witnessing a slow, steady erosion of economic vitality, marked by stagnating growth, persistent inflation, and a general unease that pervades every aspect of our financial lives.

See also Jeffrey P. Snider: As the world teeters on the brink of a global recession, it's crucial to understand how interconnected our economies are.

As businesses struggle with decreasing demand, increasing costs, and tighter credit conditions, households are finding it challenging to manage their expenses due to rising prices and stagnant wages.
But labor hoarding isn’t the only piece of the puzzle. There’s something deeper at play here, something experts call the “silent depression.” It’s the underlying sense of unease that permeates the labor market, even in the absence of mass layoffs. It’s the feeling that something isn’t quite right, that the economy is in danger.
To understand this silent depression, we need to take a trip down memory lane. Before the 2008 financial crisis, businesses operated on a different rhythm. During economic recoveries, companies eagerly hired new workers, confident in the prospects of a booming economy. Nowadays, that optimism seems to be in short supply.
Instead of a hiring spree, businesses are holding back and are reluctant to commit to long-term investments. They’re wary of the uncertain economic situation, unsure if the recovery will be as robust as they hope. And so, they’re playing it safe, keeping their workforce lean and their expenses in check.

The current recession is the result of a buildup of global events and economic imbalances over time. Though no single factor can be solely held responsible, the mixture of these forces has created an ideal situation that has proven to be too much for even the strongest economies to handle.
2020 disrupted global supply chains, shattered businesses, and altered consumer behavior in unprecedented ways. While the initial shock waves have subsided, the ripple effects continue reverberating through the global economy, worsening existing vulnerabilities and exposing structural weaknesses.

See also No wonder why people think the "world" hasn't been the same since 2012

To combat the soaring inflation rates brought about by disruptions and geopolitical tensions, central banks worldwide have embarked on an aggressive path of interest rate hikes. While aimed at curbing runaway prices, these tightening monetary policies have also constricted access to credit and dampened consumer and business spending, further compounding economic woes.
Years of accommodative monetary policies and stimulus measures have left many economies saddled with mounting debt burdens, both at the governmental and private sector levels. As interest rates rise and economic conditions deteriorate, the ability to service these debts becomes increasingly strained, potentially setting the stage for a cascade of defaults and financial instability.

While recessions have far-reaching consequences, certain sectors and industries are particularly vulnerable to the current economic downturn.
As households tighten their belts in response to rising costs of living and economic uncertainty, consumer spending – a vital driver of economic growth – has taken a significant hit. Retailers, particularly those in discretionary sectors like apparel and luxury goods, are feeling the brunt of this slump as consumers prioritize essential purchases.
The energy and commodities sectors are particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in global demand and geopolitical instability. As economic activity contracts, the demand for resources like oil, gas, and metals wanes, putting pressure on prices and profitability in these industries.

 

[Apollonian]

The Fed Is Already Political​

by Connor O'Keeffe | Mises Institute
May 8th 2024, 12:04 pm

Link: https://www.infowars.com/posts/the-fed-is-already-political/

From the outset, the Federal Reserve System has represented the politicization of money and banking in the United States. It allows the government to finance its preferred programs with newly printed money and to manipulate the entire structure of the economy with centrally planned interest rates.

Discourse about the Federal Reserve is frequently full of myths, dishonest framing, and outright lies. Listen to a press conference by Chairman Jerome Powell or read an article from a major outlet’s lead Fed correspondent and you’re bound to hear at least a few. For instance, it’s common for the financial press to characterize the Fed’s current conundrum as “walking a tightrope.”
It’s said that the Fed is working to guide the economy along without tipping it over into either high inflation on one side or a recession on the other. The last couple years, we’re told, saw the economy wobble too far toward the inflation side, with the Fed now attempting to pull the economy back to the thin line of stability without tipping over too far and plunging into a recession.

But anybody who actually understands what causes recessions can tell that this framing is, at best, incredibly misleading. The Fed doesn’t prevent recessions, it directly causes them. These days the tightrope analogy contributes to the myth that, while difficult, a recession is possible to avoid. It isn’t. All the Fed can do is delay and amplify the painful correction that earlier monetary policy made inevitable.
Another myth that has been getting more attention in past weeks is that the Fed as an organization is separate from, above, or independent from politics.
The attention follows a Wall Street Journal report alleging that members of former president Donald Trump’s team are drawing up plans to give the president more power over the Fed should Trump win the election this November. Reporters cite an internal ten-page document that argues the president should be consulted on interest-rate decisions and have the authority to fire Fed chairs before their term is up. These plans sparked panic about a politicized Fed and provoked responses from several concerned economists.
https://www.infowarsstore.com/nitri...m_medium=banner&utm_content=nitricboostbanned
It is absurd that this needs to be spelled out, but the Fed is already a political organization. It was established by an act of Congress in 1913. Two decades later, Congress consolidated much of the Fed’s power in Washington, DC, and set up the position of chairman, who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. It also created a single committee—most of which is also appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate—to direct open market operations for the entire country. Then in 1977, Congress passed another bill requiring the Fed to pursue specific policy goals.
So, a bunch of politicians created an organization and consolidated its power in Washington, DC, where a committee of government officials appointed and confirmed by politicians directs monetary policy for the entire country according to policy goals defined earlier by other politicians. And we’re supposed to consider this organization to be nonpolitical.
Moreover, the idea that the changes Trump’s team might be considering would represent a categorical change to the structure of the Federal Reserve is crazy. Fed chairs already consult with current presidential administrations through the Treasury Secretary. It’s not as if the Fed is isolated from the ambitions of the executive branch.

The real risk, from the establishment’s perspective, is not that Trump will turn the Fed into a political organization but that he will expose the fact that it already is one.
From the outset, the Federal Reserve System has represented the politicization of money and banking in the United States. It allows the government to finance its preferred programs with newly printed money and to manipulate the entire structure of the economy with centrally planned interest rates. This is great for politicians, government bureaucrats, and politically connected businesses that get the new money early. But it traps the rest of us in a recurring nightmare of unnecessary economy-wide booms and busts along with devastating, culture-destroying permanent price inflation.
The illusion of an independent, nonpolitical Fed is critical to keep the scam going.

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EMERGENCY FINANCIAL NEWS: Economist Warns The Collapse Has Already Begun – Will Be Worse Than The Great Depression

 

[Apollonian]

Here, Jew economist, Schiff says the facts about the present situation of Jew S A economy, suckers--very bad, and getting worse, fools

 

[Apollonian]

These Are The 10 Countries Most In Debt To The IMF​

BY TYLER DURDEN
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024 - 08:00 PM

Link: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/these-are-10-countries-most-debt-imf/

Established in 1944, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) supports countries’ economic growth by providing financial aid and guidance on policies to enhance stability, productivity, and job opportunities.
Countries seek loans from the IMF to address economic crises, stabilize their currencies, implement structural reforms, and alleviate balance of payments difficulties.
In this graphic, Visual Capitalist's Bruno Venditti visualizes the 10 countries most indebted to the fund.

Methodology​

We compiled this ranking using the International Monetary Fund’s data on Total IMF Credit Outstanding. We selected the latest debt data for each country, accurate as of April 29, 2024.

Argentina Tops the Rank​

Argentina’s debt to the IMF is equivalent to 5.3% of the country’s GDP. In total, the country owns more than $32 billion.

A G20 member and major grain exporter, the country’s history of debt trouble dates back to the late 1890s when it defaulted after contracting debts to modernize the capital, Buenos Aires. It has already been bailed out over 20 times in the last six decades by the IMF.
Five of the 10 most indebted countries are in Africa, while three are in South America.
The only European country on our list, Ukraine has relied on international support amidst the conflict with Russia. It is estimated that Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country caused the loss of a third of the country’s economy. The country owes $9 billion to the IMF.
In total, almost 100 countries owe money to the IMF, and the grand total of all of these debts is $111 billion. The above countries (top 10) account for about 69% of these debts.

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