Oddly enough bread cost the exact same through the entire history of the Roman Empire and there was never inflation. They had to by necessity create stealth inflation and debased their currency because there simply wasn't enough metal to go around and they would have experienced deflation. I don't like fiat currency but the system works as long as you don't have people trying to manipulate things and our system has manipulators from top to bottom.

You appear fairly versed in the subject at hand and intelligent. So, why never use cheap capital? That’s essentially a page of the independently wealthy individuals playbook. From a personal pride standpoint I totally get it, but from a finance and economic perspective it makes no sense to me. I’m wondering if there is something I’m just missing?

^^^^ I have no tolerance whatsoever for BS and will not sit still and go through the scrutiny of the paperwork to get a loan. My business is also very cash heavy and I make a lot of money and spend way less than I make so I've never really needed credit although I do have it and for whatever reason I have a very strong aversion to debt and I can't explain why. Just don't like hanging something over my head I guess.

I took mine at 62 also. I figured it would be better to be already receiving benefits if/when the Dems jack with it (grandfathered). Also, I worked 47 years and they’ve been taking it out every since so it’s my time to start using “my” money before I die.

It’s amazing how many business owners(most of which are of older age) feel the same way you do, yet had no problem taking on substantial PPP “LOANS” which were “forgiven”. 500 billion was it? Surely you’re not one of those people though. I only regret not investing in luxury boat brands during that time.

Keep kicking the can along…

What’s that? Bailing out the banks?

Keep kicking the can along…

The globalization game certainly couldn’t have any repercussions…

Keep kicking the can along…

$31.46 trillion in debt, all brought to you by policies derived from the older generation.

Keep kicking the can along…

I hear talk of the 40yr mortgage, and “bailouts/handouts” for current mortgage owners for sake of reducing the effects of a saturated market due to fear of foreclosure. We certainly wouldn’t want lower home prices AND low interest. We must intervene! The young will rent and like it!

Keep kicking the can along…

College tuition 1180%+ higher than in 1978, wonder who’s posed to profit from that? The higher we raise tuition, the more the government will pay. Nothing to see here.

Keep kicking the can along…

Ad nauseam


No, the American dream is dead because the people in charge of policy the last 20-30yrs throat forked the Statue of Liberty for all she’s worth, didn’t even offer her a rag, and now it’s time for the chickens to roost. There’s a colorful illustration.

You’d probably be shocked to know I’m a millennial who’s actually done fairly well on his own with no debt, certainly better than most. But I’m not overlooking the issues. I certainly have no issue returning the categorizations that have always been lumped of my generation. It was “learned” to me.

lots of jibberish in your post - and NO I am not shocked to know you are a mellinnial -- your generation has no clue the price that the Great generation and others paid to provide you what you are enjoying today - number one was those who gave their lives in WWI and WWII and Vietnam to defend this beautiful country you are priviledged to get to be a part of.

I lost many of my friends who gave their lives so you can be here in a free country today - My Grandfather and Father served in the military defending this country - the reason you "actually have done fairly well on my own" is due to those who came before you who honored this country and paid the price for your freedom for you to do "fairly well" - YOU did not do well on your own - you were blessed to have a country that allowed you to succeed -

Son, do not ever second guess what those before you have done for you to be here today - YOU ARE LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM even though you do not realize or appreciate it - you need to count your blessings that you were born in this great country - your post makes me want to throw up

Yeah, we are your problem. That's it. We contributed to society and many more profited off our endeavors. You rest on the shoulders of giants who preceded you and then you gritch.

My firm grosses in excess of 10 something and we didnt take no ppp loan. Banker called me to streamline the process and he was told no thank you.

Your opportunities to succeed are far greater than ours as your generation doesn't want to work nor do what they should. Making excuses by blaming your elders (63 here) is an ill minded losers limp.

Don't get too big for your britches.

Tlk and Hudbone got it going on!!!

I’m extremely aware of the price many paid long ago, my examples above explicitly mention the issues presented in the last 30yrs…not 45,60,75,100yrs. I’m also keenly aware of my situation and position, it still doesn’t change the situation we are in and the direction headed. Yet, my rights and freedoms were granted to my by God, and nobody else. Protected by those who served and chipped away at by those who make policy.

I see my use of group identity instead of individuality rubbed you wrong. Interesting…

Whataboogereatr, what is your point?

Where did you get this information? The main part of the Roman empire in general lasted about 500 years with another 250ish years on both ends at various levels. There was definitely inflation and sometimes hyperinflation. There was also monetary debasement which you correctly touched on. Inflation and debasement wreaked havoc on the empire.

"Oddly enough bread cost the exact same through the entire history of the Roman Empire and there was never inflation."

I'm wondering where did you obtain the data for this statement?

Soon, in four years I'll be living the retired dream and appreciate your support. Will start drawing at 62 just for funzies.

If SS is gone by then we are still ok but it won't be gone by then.

Hope you bought gold 3yrs ago. Lord help you if you are expecting your 401k to be there, or a USD that’s worth more than paper to wipe your butt with. That SS check ain’t much. If it doesn’t go as planned, definitely blame a millennial.

At this point, I look at gold as something nice to pass down. As full time RVers we don't have any assets to speak of anymore. Stuff has already been given to the kids if they wanted it or otherwise sold, or given away to strangers. Physical gold in a bank lockbox is just a hedge for us. We hopefully will die broke. If we dip into the gold then so be it.

Goes against what I’ve learned too. Hell, there’s literature talking about the price of wheat jumping 10,000X in a 50yr period. Not sure how you make bread without wheat.

You're post tells me you're pretty low on the food chain of international business and finance experience. You're ignorant and just don't know it but that's OK. It your world, within your scope of knowledge, I can understand how your might perceive things in such a way.

Let’s hear it then hoss, always looking to learn. Would like your thoughts on the current BRICS situation?

You have to learn it by doing and listening. Thankfully I had good mentors. There's no post or information source that's going to summarize it all. I wish there was because I'm getting out in four years. International business experience and routine travel has been with 57 countries so far. Have managed 6 countries' in my career. Now just 2, the USA and Australia.

The current BRICS situation? From a global business perspective, dumping the dollar is meaningless because from an international business perspective, transactions for goods still occur in local currencies and associated conversions. Makes for sensational headlines though.

I have more concern for these loans China is rolling over, and their accelerated dump of US bonds. But not being an international financial wiz I don’t know where it ends up.

Oh, Social Security will still be here, and it'll still be paying benefits. But here's what I think is going to happen:

1) Retirement ages will increase. 'Early' retirement at 62 will probably get phased up to 64-65. 'Full' retirement age will slowly advance to age 70. 'Maximum' retirement age will probably go up from 70 to 75 or thereabouts.

2) Full retirement age SSA benefits will start getting means-tested similarly to early retirement benefits. So if you continue working in your retirement years, your benefits will probably be reduced by some percentage of earnings.

3) SSA benefits will become subject to asset limitations. If you scrimped and saved during your working years so that you would have something to live in your old age, your SSA benefits will probably be reduced by some percentage of your assets which are available for your support.

4) SSA wage caps will soar. Currently the first $147,000 or so of wages are subject to SSA tax. That'll at least double, if not more, in the next 5-10 years.

The rationale will be along the lines that having retirement savings and assets means you're 'privileged' and 'fortunate', and so are not entitled to the same level of SSA support that the 'more needy and deserving' people who didn't save & plan ahead need.

Now I could be dead wrong. My crystal ball works as well as everyone else's. But the above is consistent with the trends in SSA law for the last 40+ years.

My (and others) 401k has been there for 40 years and will be there throughout my retirement - what a silly statement for you to make

Well, especially when considering a lot of what I’ve posted is facetious.

When I was in HS over 30 years ago, this is what I was told...
The oceans are going to rise in 10 years.
We'll have flying cars in 10 years.
We will run out of oil in 10 years.
Car engines will be made out of ceramic and mechanics will be wearing lab coats instead of greasy coveralls in 10 years.

I tend not believe anybody that tells me "in 10 years, such and such is going to happen"