Andrew Lokenauth | TheFinanceNewsletter.com
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The U.S. government is now paying 5.51% annualized on new I bonds.
The best high-yield savings accounts only pay up to 4.35%.
And the I bond’s fixed rate is now the highest since 2006.
The best high-yield savings accounts only pay up to 4.35%.
And the I bond’s fixed rate is now the highest since 2006.
November 1, 2026 at 2:53 PM
The U.S. government is now paying 5.51% annualized on new I bonds.
The best high-yield savings accounts only pay up to 4.35%.
And the I bond’s fixed rate is now the highest since 2006.
The best high-yield savings accounts only pay up to 4.35%.
And the I bond’s fixed rate is now the highest since 2006.
Wow. All of this since yesterday:
September PCE inflation hit 3.6% year over year. Prices rose 0.5% for the month, and income after taxes and inflation fell 0.3%.
Intel #$INTC is down 28% Friday morning. Its finance chief expects weak PC demand through at least the first half of 2027.
September PCE inflation hit 3.6% year over year. Prices rose 0.5% for the month, and income after taxes and inflation fell 0.3%.
Intel #$INTC is down 28% Friday morning. Its finance chief expects weak PC demand through at least the first half of 2027.
October 30, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Wow. All of this since yesterday:
September PCE inflation hit 3.6% year over year. Prices rose 0.5% for the month, and income after taxes and inflation fell 0.3%.
Intel #$INTC is down 28% Friday morning. Its finance chief expects weak PC demand through at least the first half of 2027.
September PCE inflation hit 3.6% year over year. Prices rose 0.5% for the month, and income after taxes and inflation fell 0.3%.
Intel #$INTC is down 28% Friday morning. Its finance chief expects weak PC demand through at least the first half of 2027.
A LOT has happened in the last 24 hours:
1. The Fed held interest rates at 3.75%–4.00%. Two officials wanted another rate hike.
2. Google #$GOOGL reported $127.6 billion in quarterly revenue, up 25%, while its cloud business grew 103%.
1. The Fed held interest rates at 3.75%–4.00%. Two officials wanted another rate hike.
2. Google #$GOOGL reported $127.6 billion in quarterly revenue, up 25%, while its cloud business grew 103%.
October 29, 2026 at 1:33 PM
A LOT has happened in the last 24 hours:
1. The Fed held interest rates at 3.75%–4.00%. Two officials wanted another rate hike.
2. Google #$GOOGL reported $127.6 billion in quarterly revenue, up 25%, while its cloud business grew 103%.
1. The Fed held interest rates at 3.75%–4.00%. Two officials wanted another rate hike.
2. Google #$GOOGL reported $127.6 billion in quarterly revenue, up 25%, while its cloud business grew 103%.
Alphabet #$GOOGL is now down over -10% after missing both earnings & revenue for the first time in 4 years.
$400 billion in market value wiped out.
This is a warning sign for every AI stock trading at massive valuations.
$400 billion in market value wiped out.
This is a warning sign for every AI stock trading at massive valuations.
October 28, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Alphabet #$GOOGL is now down over -10% after missing both earnings & revenue for the first time in 4 years.
$400 billion in market value wiped out.
This is a warning sign for every AI stock trading at massive valuations.
$400 billion in market value wiped out.
This is a warning sign for every AI stock trading at massive valuations.
Can someone explain what happens when:
Home prices keep climbing.
Interest rates keep rising.
Purchasing power keeps falling.
Paychecks can’t keep pace.
Nobody can afford to buy.
And the housing market still doesn’t crash?
Home prices keep climbing.
Interest rates keep rising.
Purchasing power keeps falling.
Paychecks can’t keep pace.
Nobody can afford to buy.
And the housing market still doesn’t crash?
October 28, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Can someone explain what happens when:
Home prices keep climbing.
Interest rates keep rising.
Purchasing power keeps falling.
Paychecks can’t keep pace.
Nobody can afford to buy.
And the housing market still doesn’t crash?
Home prices keep climbing.
Interest rates keep rising.
Purchasing power keeps falling.
Paychecks can’t keep pace.
Nobody can afford to buy.
And the housing market still doesn’t crash?
Same monthly home payment:
$500,000 home at a 2.5% interest rate
$270,000 home at a 8% interest rate
$500,000 home at a 2.5% interest rate
$270,000 home at a 8% interest rate
October 14, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Same monthly home payment:
$500,000 home at a 2.5% interest rate
$270,000 home at a 8% interest rate
$500,000 home at a 2.5% interest rate
$270,000 home at a 8% interest rate
Return since 2020:
Google: 575%
Apple: 520%
Meta: 400%
Microsoft: 320%
Amazon: 185%
Build-A-Bear: 1,425%
Yes. The teddy bear company.
Google: 575%
Apple: 520%
Meta: 400%
Microsoft: 320%
Amazon: 185%
Build-A-Bear: 1,425%
Yes. The teddy bear company.
October 13, 2026 at 11:13 PM
Return since 2020:
Google: 575%
Apple: 520%
Meta: 400%
Microsoft: 320%
Amazon: 185%
Build-A-Bear: 1,425%
Yes. The teddy bear company.
Google: 575%
Apple: 520%
Meta: 400%
Microsoft: 320%
Amazon: 185%
Build-A-Bear: 1,425%
Yes. The teddy bear company.
The typical American family can no longer afford the typical American home.
According to the Atlanta Fed:
• Income needed to afford a typical home: $127,000
• Median household income: $86,500
• Income gap: 46%
According to the Atlanta Fed:
• Income needed to afford a typical home: $127,000
• Median household income: $86,500
• Income gap: 46%
October 10, 2026 at 6:09 PM
The typical American family can no longer afford the typical American home.
According to the Atlanta Fed:
• Income needed to afford a typical home: $127,000
• Median household income: $86,500
• Income gap: 46%
According to the Atlanta Fed:
• Income needed to afford a typical home: $127,000
• Median household income: $86,500
• Income gap: 46%
2016:
Median home price: $240,200
Mortgage rate: 3.4%
Monthly payment: $850
2026:
Median home price: $430,100
Mortgage rate: 7.4%
Monthly payment: $2,400
That’s a 180% increase in just 10 years.
Median home price: $240,200
Mortgage rate: 3.4%
Monthly payment: $850
2026:
Median home price: $430,100
Mortgage rate: 7.4%
Monthly payment: $2,400
That’s a 180% increase in just 10 years.
October 10, 2026 at 3:31 PM
2016:
Median home price: $240,200
Mortgage rate: 3.4%
Monthly payment: $850
2026:
Median home price: $430,100
Mortgage rate: 7.4%
Monthly payment: $2,400
That’s a 180% increase in just 10 years.
Median home price: $240,200
Mortgage rate: 3.4%
Monthly payment: $850
2026:
Median home price: $430,100
Mortgage rate: 7.4%
Monthly payment: $2,400
That’s a 180% increase in just 10 years.
The U.S. annual budget deficit just hit its highest level since COVID.
The THIRD-LARGEST in American history.
Almost $2 TRILLION in a year.
The government spent 37% more than it collected.
And somehow, this isn’t the biggest financial story in America right now.
The THIRD-LARGEST in American history.
Almost $2 TRILLION in a year.
The government spent 37% more than it collected.
And somehow, this isn’t the biggest financial story in America right now.
October 10, 2026 at 2:16 PM
The U.S. annual budget deficit just hit its highest level since COVID.
The THIRD-LARGEST in American history.
Almost $2 TRILLION in a year.
The government spent 37% more than it collected.
And somehow, this isn’t the biggest financial story in America right now.
The THIRD-LARGEST in American history.
Almost $2 TRILLION in a year.
The government spent 37% more than it collected.
And somehow, this isn’t the biggest financial story in America right now.
The rise in inflation on everyday goods came entirely from Trump’s tariffs, New York Fed research found.
New analysis shows the tariffs raised consumer prices by 2.9% by February.
Without the tariffs, prices on the goods studied would’ve fallen.
New analysis shows the tariffs raised consumer prices by 2.9% by February.
Without the tariffs, prices on the goods studied would’ve fallen.
October 9, 2026 at 6:10 PM
The rise in inflation on everyday goods came entirely from Trump’s tariffs, New York Fed research found.
New analysis shows the tariffs raised consumer prices by 2.9% by February.
Without the tariffs, prices on the goods studied would’ve fallen.
New analysis shows the tariffs raised consumer prices by 2.9% by February.
Without the tariffs, prices on the goods studied would’ve fallen.
Layoffs announced in 2026 so far:
Volkswagen: 50,000 employees
UPS: 30,000 employees
Oracle: 21,000 employees
Amazon: 17,500 employees
Meta: 10,500 employees
Heineken: 6,000 employees
Microsoft: 5,500 employees
PayPal: 4,500 employees
Uber: 3,300 employees
Volkswagen: 50,000 employees
UPS: 30,000 employees
Oracle: 21,000 employees
Amazon: 17,500 employees
Meta: 10,500 employees
Heineken: 6,000 employees
Microsoft: 5,500 employees
PayPal: 4,500 employees
Uber: 3,300 employees
October 8, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Layoffs announced in 2026 so far:
Volkswagen: 50,000 employees
UPS: 30,000 employees
Oracle: 21,000 employees
Amazon: 17,500 employees
Meta: 10,500 employees
Heineken: 6,000 employees
Microsoft: 5,500 employees
PayPal: 4,500 employees
Uber: 3,300 employees
Volkswagen: 50,000 employees
UPS: 30,000 employees
Oracle: 21,000 employees
Amazon: 17,500 employees
Meta: 10,500 employees
Heineken: 6,000 employees
Microsoft: 5,500 employees
PayPal: 4,500 employees
Uber: 3,300 employees
POV: you just made your first mortgage payment on your new $500k home at 8% and found out your next-door neighbor paid $300k for the same home 5 years ago and has a 3% mortgage
October 7, 2026 at 6:17 PM
POV: you just made your first mortgage payment on your new $500k home at 8% and found out your next-door neighbor paid $300k for the same home 5 years ago and has a 3% mortgage
Anthropic is now worth $965B. JPMorgan, the biggest bank in America, is worth $900B.
One took 227 years to get here. The other took 5.
One took 227 years to get here. The other took 5.
October 5, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Anthropic is now worth $965B. JPMorgan, the biggest bank in America, is worth $900B.
One took 227 years to get here. The other took 5.
One took 227 years to get here. The other took 5.
Costco is packed at 10am on a Monday. The parking lot is full. Everyone looks 25 to 35.
This definitely a recession indicator if I’ve ever seen one.
This definitely a recession indicator if I’ve ever seen one.
October 5, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Costco is packed at 10am on a Monday. The parking lot is full. Everyone looks 25 to 35.
This definitely a recession indicator if I’ve ever seen one.
This definitely a recession indicator if I’ve ever seen one.
JUST IN: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the world "should accept some bad things happening" for AI’s benefits.
Who gets to decide how much harm society should accept in the name of “progress”?
Who gets to decide how much harm society should accept in the name of “progress”?
October 5, 2026 at 1:12 PM
JUST IN: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the world "should accept some bad things happening" for AI’s benefits.
Who gets to decide how much harm society should accept in the name of “progress”?
Who gets to decide how much harm society should accept in the name of “progress”?
The number of grown adults who think they're getting a $5,000 midterm check is mind-blowing
October 3, 2026 at 8:03 PM
The number of grown adults who think they're getting a $5,000 midterm check is mind-blowing
Where are the DOGE checks?
Where are lower mortgage rates?
What happened to gas under $2?
Where are the $2,000 tariff checks?
When are electric bills being cut in half?
What happened to bringing grocery prices down?
What happened to the “1,500%” prescription discounts?
Where are lower mortgage rates?
What happened to gas under $2?
Where are the $2,000 tariff checks?
When are electric bills being cut in half?
What happened to bringing grocery prices down?
What happened to the “1,500%” prescription discounts?
October 3, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Where are the DOGE checks?
Where are lower mortgage rates?
What happened to gas under $2?
Where are the $2,000 tariff checks?
When are electric bills being cut in half?
What happened to bringing grocery prices down?
What happened to the “1,500%” prescription discounts?
Where are lower mortgage rates?
What happened to gas under $2?
Where are the $2,000 tariff checks?
When are electric bills being cut in half?
What happened to bringing grocery prices down?
What happened to the “1,500%” prescription discounts?
10 years ago, the mortgage rate was 3.47% and the median home cost $232,200.
Today the rate is 7.3% and the median home costs $429,100.
Today the rate is 7.3% and the median home costs $429,100.
October 2, 2026 at 1:39 PM
10 years ago, the mortgage rate was 3.47% and the median home cost $232,200.
Today the rate is 7.3% and the median home costs $429,100.
Today the rate is 7.3% and the median home costs $429,100.
You can’t afford a home because homes stopped being homes and became investments for people who already own one.
October 1, 2026 at 3:01 PM
You can’t afford a home because homes stopped being homes and became investments for people who already own one.
JUST IN: Meta is using AI data centers to claim research tax credits, according to the NYT. Its total research credits reached almost $4,000,000,000 in 2025 alone.
October 1, 2026 at 12:47 AM
JUST IN: Meta is using AI data centers to claim research tax credits, according to the NYT. Its total research credits reached almost $4,000,000,000 in 2025 alone.
Maturing is realizing the biggest flex isn’t an expensive car. It’s a car with $0 monthly payment.
September 30, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Maturing is realizing the biggest flex isn’t an expensive car. It’s a car with $0 monthly payment.
Nobody wants to borrow $500,000 at an 8% interest rate
After 10 years of payments you'll still owe $438,600
Nobody is buying a home today with an 8% interest rate. It's not happening.
After 10 years of payments you'll still owe $438,600
Nobody is buying a home today with an 8% interest rate. It's not happening.
September 29, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Nobody wants to borrow $500,000 at an 8% interest rate
After 10 years of payments you'll still owe $438,600
Nobody is buying a home today with an 8% interest rate. It's not happening.
After 10 years of payments you'll still owe $438,600
Nobody is buying a home today with an 8% interest rate. It's not happening.
The price of a Costco rotisserie chicken every year since it was introduced:
1994: $4.99
1995: $4.99
1996: $4.99
1997: $4.99
1998: $4.99
1999: $4.99
2000: $4.99
2001: $4.99
2002: $4.99
2003: $4.99
2004: $4.99
2005: $4.99
2006: $4.99
2007: $4.99
2008: $4.99
2009: $4.99
2010: $4.99
1994: $4.99
1995: $4.99
1996: $4.99
1997: $4.99
1998: $4.99
1999: $4.99
2000: $4.99
2001: $4.99
2002: $4.99
2003: $4.99
2004: $4.99
2005: $4.99
2006: $4.99
2007: $4.99
2008: $4.99
2009: $4.99
2010: $4.99
September 29, 2026 at 4:29 AM
The price of a Costco rotisserie chicken every year since it was introduced:
1994: $4.99
1995: $4.99
1996: $4.99
1997: $4.99
1998: $4.99
1999: $4.99
2000: $4.99
2001: $4.99
2002: $4.99
2003: $4.99
2004: $4.99
2005: $4.99
2006: $4.99
2007: $4.99
2008: $4.99
2009: $4.99
2010: $4.99
1994: $4.99
1995: $4.99
1996: $4.99
1997: $4.99
1998: $4.99
1999: $4.99
2000: $4.99
2001: $4.99
2002: $4.99
2003: $4.99
2004: $4.99
2005: $4.99
2006: $4.99
2007: $4.99
2008: $4.99
2009: $4.99
2010: $4.99
Trump is now responsible for 29% of our national debt.
That's more than any President in American history.
What happened to DOGE?
That's more than any President in American history.
What happened to DOGE?
September 28, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Trump is now responsible for 29% of our national debt.
That's more than any President in American history.
What happened to DOGE?
That's more than any President in American history.
What happened to DOGE?