(End of the American Dream)—Okay, this is starting to get really weird. First, we had a “thousand year storm” which caused catastrophic flooding in San Diego. Subsequently, a “Pineapple Express” storm absolutely soaked the entire state on Wednesday and Thursday. Now, a “bomb cyclone” is in the process of dumping 8 trillion gallons of rain on California over the course of approximately 48 hours. We are being told that there will be “life threatening flooding” all over the state, and in the mountains there will be massive amounts of snow in some areas. Do you remember when the state of California was hit by a series of devastating atmospheric rivers in December 2022 and January 2023? Well, now it is happening again, and the storm that we are witnessing at this moment is being called a “monster”. In fact, it is so large that 94 percent of the population of the state is at risk of experiencing life-threatening flooding…
A fierce winter storm fueled by a raging atmospheric river was thrashing Californians on Sunday with intense downpours, threatening treacherous flooding and hurricane-force winds − even in major urban areas.
Up to 37 million people, about 94% of the state’s population, were at risk for life-threatening floods from the storm, Accuweather meteorologists warned. The atmospheric river − like a river in the sky − is the second to pound the state in recent days, but forecasters said this storm would be the season’s most potent, particularly in Southern California.
In addition to staggering amounts of rain, this storm is also lashing the state with immensely powerful winds.
It is being reported that the National Weather Service has actually issued “a rare hurricane-force wind warning for the Central Coast”…
The National Weather Service issued a rare hurricane-force wind warning for the Central Coast: Wind gusts up to 92 mph were possible from the Monterey Peninsula to the northern section of San Luis Obispo County.
Apparently this is the first time that such a warning has ever been issued for that particular area…
The NWS office in the Bay Area issued its first-ever Hurricane-Force Wind Warning for the waters off parts of the Central California coast, where mariners could encounter wind gusts over hurricane force (74-plus mph).
That is interesting.
That is very interesting.
It isn’t too often that the words “hurricane” and “California” are used together in the same sentence.
According to weather researcher Ryan Maue, this storm is also being classified as a “bomb cyclone”…
Weather researcher Ryan Maue said the ‘bomb cyclone’ – a term denoting a storm that rapidly intensifies over 24 hours – could dump more than 8 trillion gallons of precipitation on the state.
He likened the amount to the volume of Lake Mead – 8.5 trillion gallons.
Just think about that for a moment.
The equivalent of Lake Mead is being dropped on California in just a 48 hour period.
That is going to cause a lot of damage.
A number of counties have already issued either an evacuation order or an evacuation warning…
Evacuation warnings and orders were in effect for Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura and Monterey counties. Classes were canceled Monday for schools across Santa Barbara County.
“This storm is predicted to be one of the largest and most significant in our county’s history and our goal is to get through it without any fatalities or any serious injuries,” Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said.
We are being told that some parts of Los Angeles could see more rain during this storm than they usually do in an entire year.
In the mountains, the big problem will be snow.
Apparently some areas could literally get more than four feet of snow, and it is being reported that very rapid snowfall plus extremely strong winds “will lead to whiteout conditions”…
Heavy snow will be the headline event for higher elevations, including the Sierra Nevada and Northern California mountain ranges, specifically at elevations above 5,000 to 6,000 feet.
“Snow totals of several feet are forecast for the Sierra through Tuesday morning,” the NWS said. “Heavy snow rates of 2-3″/hour along with strong winds will lead to whiteout conditions and dangerous, near impossible travel conditions.”
When is the last time we saw “whiteout conditions” in California during the month of February?
I honestly don’t know. That is why I am asking.
What makes all of this even weirder is that this storm has hit California on the exact day that the Grammy Awards are happening.
Do you think that there is any possible way that this is just a coincidence?
The royalty of the music industry has gathered in one location for one night, and it just happens to be exactly where a storm of absolutely epic proportions is being unleashed.
Taylor Swift is there, and the media has been speculating about whether or not she will bring home the evening’s big prize…
Swift could become the artist with the most-ever wins in the Album of the Year category, considered the night’s most prestigious honor, breaking a tie she holds with Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Frank Sinatra and adding a victory for “Midnights” to her three wins for “Fearless,” “1989” and “Folklore.”
Sadly, even though Taylor Swift and the other artists that have gathered at the Grammys are very gifted musically, they are also leading millions of young Americans in the exact opposite direction that they should be going.
Once this storm finally passes, the crisis still won’t be over.
Another storm will hit the state late in the week, but that one is not supposed to be as large…
A smaller, trailing storm could spread another dose of low-elevation rain and mountain snow from north to south across the state from Thursday to Friday. While this storm will be moving along at a swift pace and will not pack the moisture of the blockbuster storm, it can add insult to injury by not only hampering storm cleanup but also triggering new incidents of flash flooding, slippery roads in the mountains and slow travel.
All of this rain is going to cause some terrible mudslides.
And the damage caused by the flooding will probably be in the billions of dollars.
In 2023, there were more “billion dollar disasters” than ever before, but I fully expect 2024 to be even worse.
Our world is being shaken in countless ways, and I believe we are in a time when we will get hit by one historic natural disaster after another.
So I hope that you have been getting prepared for what is coming, because what we have experienced so far is just the beginning…
Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.
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.