Experiences

Fed Officials Hint That Rate Increases Are Over, and Investors Celebrate – The New York Times

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Fed Officials Hint That Rate Increases Are Over, and Investors Celebrate – The New York Times

Federal Reserve officials appear to be dialing back the chances of future interest rate increases, after months in which they have carefully kept the possibility of further policy changes alive for fear that inflation would prove stubborn.

Several Fed officials — including two who often push for higher interest rates — hinted on Tuesday that the central bank is making progress on inflation and may be done or close to done raising borrowing costs. Economic growth is cooling, reducing the urgency for additional moves.

Christopher Waller, a Fed governor and one of the central bank’s more inflation-focused members, gave a speech on Tuesday titled “Something Appears to Be Giving,” an update on a previous speech that he had titled “Something’s Got to Give.”

“I am encouraged by what we have learned in the past few weeks — something appears to be giving, and it’s the pace of the economy,” Mr. Waller said. “I am increasingly confident that policy is currently well positioned to slow the economy and get inflation back to 2 percent.”

A take on “Meatless Mondays” and “Vegan Fridays”

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I don’t eat much meat anymore due to the high cost due to inflation and unhealthy omega-6 saturated fats. Saturated fats are bad news. They’re fine as a treat but you shouldn’t be gorging on them regularly.

Probably the meat I eat the most these days is canned chicken, mostly because I will throw a can in the big pots of chicken soup I make, although I generally do more tuna fish instead because it’s less expensive and omega-3 fats. Used to buy frozen chicken to broil but it’s not worth the effort to cook, might as well just have salmon for the omega-3s. Tastes better too.

I do like fat free plain Greek yogurt and occasionally cottage cheese though I’ve lately cut back on the latter due to the high salt content. And of course skim milk in coffee and reduced fat Parmesan cheese as a topping.

Rice and lentils are my go to source for protein. Cheap and so many different ways to cook with spices so never gets boring. Then different types of soup, edamame, homemade whole wheat bread for carbs and always mixing up and snacking on fruits and veggies.

I’m not saying I won’t occasionally eat other things when visiting friends and family for holidays and special events but when you are in your second half of your life you really think twice about what you put in your mouth.

Rat Creek

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The valley that Empire State Plaza crosses is called the Rutten Kill Valley, which is Dutch for “Rat Creek”.

While some people say it refers to urban, common, brown rats that are an invasive species from Europe, “Rat Creek” most likely refers to muskrats, the common furbearer that burrows along the bank of creeks and are commonly trapped and skinned for their pelts in our state.

It’s Black Friday and the orgy of consumerism 🛍️

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It’s Black Friday and the orgy of consumerism 🛍️

While I don’t own a colored television and are immune to much of the advertising these days, it seems like many of the frenzied sales of years past have been dialed back with the pandemic and the problematic nature of crowded shopping mauls. But to a certain extent its moved online.

I really don’t understand why people would want robot vaccums or internet connected toasters. But a quick search of the internet says they’re hot gifts this year. I don’t know, I tend to think they’re toxic e-waste meant to be used for a while and tossed. Kind of silly if you ask me.

I don’t plan to stand on line to get vaccinated from the China virus nor do I plan to stand in line for overpriced Chinese junk with some fancy label on it. I hate lines and I hate crowds, and social distancing is helping to keep myself safe. I’m heading up to the Adirondacks where I doubt I’ll see many except for an occasional hunter passing by in a pickup.

A Vulgur Essay on Consumerism

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I was told the other day, I should buy more shit. 💩

I’m like no, I’m tired of things breaking all the time and needing maintenance. I’m happy with the shit I already have. I don’t need anymore. I’d rather use the money, save and invest it, so I have a more secure retirement, and eventually can afford land that will be my own little kingdom in the wilderness.

Shot