(Epic Economist)—It’s time to prepare yourself for the winter that is coming! In a few short weeks, a seasonal shift in consumer demand will leave some empty shelves at grocery stores, new reports reveal.
Weaker-than-expected harvest seasons and other manufacturing challenges have hit the biggest food companies in the country really hard throughout the year. And now, many retailers are already reporting inventory holes at a time when they should be receiving more supplies to prepare for the all-important holiday season.
For example, Americans might have to go out of their way to find asparagus for their holiday recipes next month. Michigan, California, and New Jersey reported an 11% reduction in the number of asparagus crops planted this year, and farmers also cited losses caused by fungus and beetles during the harvest season.
While more people will be looking for the veggie at big-box stores in the weeks ahead, retailers won’t likely be able to fulfill the entire demand. At local farmers’ markets, prices can be higher this season, but you’ll have greater chances of getting what you need for the perfect holiday dinner.
Similarly, flour, butter, shortenings, and oils are not only costing more but also becoming more scarce at grocery stores in 2023. The worldwide shortage of grains has been pushing the production of flour and vegetable oils down since 2022. Meanwhile, dairy products are being impacted by higher cow slaughter this year. And now that seasonal demand for baking supplies is about to grow home and professional bakers might have to fight for the available supply, according to Bloomberg. With holiday celebrations about a month away, many bakers have already started stocking up on the ingredients they’ll need. Those who haven’t yet should start making preparations now because many products may be sold out over the next couple of weeks.
You also might have heard about the massive decline in U.S. cattle production this year. A historic drought, rising fuel, and feed costs, as well as labor shortages, have all combined to create a perfect storm for the nation’s ranchers. Prices are expected to soar, too. According to the USDA, they are likely to double from a year ago levels.
The best cuts, including filet mignon and ribeye, will not only face even bigger price increases but also become harder to find, given that this year’s beef cows were much smaller than usual, and produced less meat. If you haven’t purchased steak for your holiday celebrations yet, don’t wait too long because you may struggle to get what you want.
Weather emergencies, supply chain disruptions, and an ongoing freight market crisis will exacerbate shortages and prevent retailers from restocking their shelves over the next weeks and months. Don’t wait until the last minute to search for the products you will need because you might end up paying a lot more than you would if you had prepared sooner. The holiday shopping frenzy has only just begun, and we should brace for a whole lot of chaos at U.S. stores next month.
In this video, we tracked the new product shortages that are about to hit the U.S. market in December and beyond so you can stay ahead of the shortages and get ready for the dark winter that is ahead of us.
The List
- Baking Supplies
- Asparagus
- Antibiotics
- Maple Syrup
- Dijon Mustard
- Baby Formula Mix
- Salmon
- Lentils
- Vanilla
- Mango
- High-Quality Beef Cuts
- Winter Clothing
- Grapes
- Pet Food
- Sweet Potatoes
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.
When I read these stories, I wonder how long the shortages will last. Is this a temporary thing or are we looking at long term shortages? We have several rescue animals we care for and I’ve been wondering how much food we should put aside for them just in case. Could you post an article on preparing for SHTF situations for pets and other animals?