Meanwhile, my younger daughter becomes the mediator trying to bridge the gap in our diverging opinions. How can a child half my age have the depth of experience and knowledge to tell me how to correct the errors of my ways when I have lived through the experience of the situation we are discussing? Is it pride that convolutes my understanding of her explanation or ignorance to not believe her point of view as being valid?

Nonetheless, after the moment of butting heads, there comes a moment of reflection and I actually find myself trying to grasp the essence of her point of view.  I know they both mean well looking out for Papa, researching all the time to make me eat healthier and improve my persona. They have introduced the word,  “Manifesting”, into my life to bring positive changes within me. It really is something everyone should try to incorporate into their own life.

There might be better examples than this, but let me try. My 2017 Honda Touring Accord was stolen off the driveway, leaving me with a reliable Honda 2011 CRV. In my thoughts, I would say to myself, “Man,  it would be great if I could have a nicer car to enhance my experience.”. I was thinking convertible, Ford Mustang, to let my hair blow in the wind. I ended up in an accident, my CRV was written off the next thing I know, a new vehicle came my way. I didn’t get my convertible but did come across a 2020 Lexus with half the mileage. It makes me feel like I am driving on a cloud. If I went over a bump in the CRV, I would need to visit the chiropractor for an adjustment, this car is the best I have ever owned.

Speaking of adjustments, not much has changed, in the Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measurement of inflation. The result showed a softening to 2.8% vs expected (3%) but better than the previous (3.4%) in May. On the other hand, Core Inflation was down 0.1% to 3.2% vs (3.7%) in May.

In actuality, these numbers are meaningless because all you need to do is look at your grocery or utility bills, they have not come down. The damage has already been done. Utilities and food prices have risen 30-50% in most instances. People’s incomes have not risen as quickly and now we have labour strife across the country causing chaos. With food and household items, prices seem like they haven’t risen, but now you get less and pay more. The question is how much further can they go up while the measurement of the statistic only measures the previous to the present. It is another example of smoke and mirrors, manipulation of data which distorts reality for those listening to the censored news.

Case in point, European CPI rose to 5.5% in June and maintains 5.5% YoY.  I will reiterate what I have been saying from the beginning, inflation will not come down until governments curb frivolous and irresponsible spending! For most, it’s political suicide as they won’t sacrifice the future for their own careers to do what is appropriate.  People mean nothing to these non-empathic individuals we call leaders. Nonetheless, the USD Index soared toward the 101 level as USD strength is renewed on the assumption that the Europeans will hold the line on further increases in interest rates allowing the markets to focus on the pending Federal Reserve decision.

On the other hand, the Fed looks to raise rates again by another 0.25% before pausing. The Bank of Canada is going to hurt Canadians by leaving the door open to further increases to justify their misguided policy, in my opinion. Precious Metals remain stable, Gold around the $1970/oz level while Silver slips below the $25/oz level.  The fight against inflation just took another step for the worse as the price of Oil jumped above the $76/B level.

Lastly, in America, US Industrial Production contracted by <0.5%> from expected (0%). USA Jobless Claims were lower at 228k vs 242k expected. Finally, more trickery as the Philadelphia Fed Mfg Index tried to describe the result as positive as they present it as increasing to <-13.5%> in July from expected <-10%> expected, those are negative numbers not positive.