(Natural News)—Cost of living in the United States is so out of control that consumers are going into debt like never before in the nation’s history.
This historic debt binge seemingly has no end, especially because of the increasingly harsh economic environment that is making it next to impossible for many people to continue making ends meet.
Housing costs are through the roof. Employers are laying off workers in record numbers. Poverty and homelessness are becoming the norm rather than the exception. America’s southern border is wide open to limitless “asylum seekers” who are displacing and replacing American citizens. Where does it all end?
For many, the only way to continue surviving in this hellscape is to go into debt. The latest data from the Federal Reserve shows that consumer borrowing increased much faster than expected in December, which saw higher spending than normal.
“U.S. consumers did not rein in their spending this past holiday season, and now have near-record-breaking debt balances to show for it,” one report explained.
“Consumer borrowing spiked by $23.75 billion in November, more than doubling economists’ expectations for a $9 billion increase and sending outstanding credit balances north of the $5 trillion mark for the first time on record.”
(Related: Check out the top 10 politicians who are on the dole of Israeli blood money.)
Inflation, debt, collapse
Higher rates of revolving credit, mostly from credit cards, are behind the monthly increase in borrowing that occurred in December, soaring by nearly $19.5 billion. This represents the third-highest monthly increase on record since 1943.
Though rapidly rising debt levels have not yet become unmanageable, this is changing as the debt crisis is leading the country off a financial cliff.
“Credit card usage and Buy Now, Pay Later usage seemingly surged during the holidays, on top of already hefty debt loads,” said Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate.
Looking back at what happened in 2012 when the country was just coming out of what came to be dubbed as the Great Recession, even what happened then pales in comparison to the nightmare that is unfolding today as credit card rates have reached an all-time high with an average of more than 20 percent.
Credit card rates are also rising at the steepest annual pace ever, aligning with the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike cycle.
“Most cardholders’ rates have risen five-and-a-quarter percentage points during that span as a result of the Fed’s rate hikes meant to combat inflation,” Rossman added. “It’s no wonder, then, that we’re seeing more people carrying more debt for longer periods of time.”
A recent survey found that a whopping 56 million credit cardholders in the U.S. have been carrying balances “for at least a year.” Roughly half of them now carry debt from month to month on at least one card.
More than 60 percent of America now lives paycheck to paycheck, and many of them are struggling just to pay their monthly bills, let alone having anything extra for a rainy-day emergency.
It is expected that things will worsen dramatically in 2024 as well. An economic downturn, as they are calling it, is sure to manifest – though many would argue that, based on pre-“pandemic” metrics, the U.S. has already been in a recession for some time now.
Cam Harvey, the economist who discovered the Treasury yield curve’s ability to forecast recessions, says that when yields on three-month Treasury bills remain higher than those on 10-year notes for at least three months, triggering an official inversion, a recession is sure to follow.
“The indicator has preceded each of the last eight recessions and has not produced any false positives,” reported Business Insider about Harvey’s model.
Very soon, the world as we currently know will change, forever. Learn more at Collapse.news.
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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.