Our Federal Reserve doesn’t control events around the world, like a ship being stuck in the Suez Canal, or the current Red Sea geopolitical aggression, which can impact our inflation rate or how much money companies or individuals earn. The world changes. What was it like going to a concert 60 years ago? This will give you an idea. Concerts have become huge moneymakers. Along those lines, but in a different industry, the Financial Times reports that JPMorgan took almost a fifth of total US bank profits in the first nine months of 2023! Too big to fail? For those playing along at home, the ten largest banks, when that concert was filmed, were Bank of America, Chase Manhattan Bank, First National City Bank of New York, Chemical Bank New York Trust Company, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, Manufacturer’s Hanover Trust Company, Bank of California, Security First National Bank, Banker’s Trust Company, and First National Bank of Chicago. Now the list is JPMorgan Chase, Ban
“What do you call a Christmas wreath made out of $100 bills? Aretha Franklins.” It’s cutting-edge humor like this that keeps readers coming back for more, right? Or astronomy tips, as today is the Winter Solstice, with the least amount of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere and a little music to go along with it. “The winter is here again, oh Lord. Haven't been home in a year or more.” (Look at that hair!) Lenders and vendors are hoping that the decline in rates keeps the “winter” away from lending, and holds more salary cuts, layoffs, and furloughs at bay. Mortgage banking is not alone in expanding automation and trying to save money. Do you think that you deserve a lower price for checking out of a store yourself and not using a paid clerk? Many do. The number of people who work as cashiers dropped from 1.4 million in 2019 to 1.2 million today, and over the next decade the BLS projects an additional 10 percent decline. (Today&#