Good morning and happy Monday!

It’s time to come to grips with the state of the economy.

Did you know that the Federal Reserve has multiplied the circulating supply of USD by a factor of 3 since 2008?

We are now starting to finally feel the downside of that, after many years of patchwork to keep it together. Later I’m going to tell you about an M2 indicator that we haven’t seen since the Great Depression.

Don’t be unprepared for what may come!

-Wally

International

Bukele Secures Second Term in El Salvador

Nayib Bukele, El Salvador's youthful and visionary president, has once again captured the nation's confidence, winning re-election with a staggering 85% of the vote, a testament to how the country views his leadership. Bukele's tenure has been characterized by bold and tech-savvy initiatives, most notably his pioneering move to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, positioning El Salvador as a trailblazer in the digital currency space.

Under his watch, El Salvador has seen a dramatic turnaround in public safety, with his aggressive anti-crime strategies significantly diminishing gang violence and slashing the country's homicide rates. This remarkable shift has not only restored peace to communities but also reinvigorated the national spirit, with Salvadorans now enjoying freedoms once stifled by fear.

Bukele's governance, while assertive, has been underpinned by a genuine commitment to revitalizing El Salvador's economy and social fabric. His efforts have resonated deeply with the populace, whose overwhelming support at the polls speaks volumes of their belief in his vision for a prosperous, secure, and forward-looking nation.

As Bukele embarks on his second term, the path ahead is filled with promise and potential challenges. Yet, his track record of decisive action and innovation offers hope for continued progress, further cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in El Salvador's history.

Will we see more Central and South American nations adopt similar policies on currency and crime?

On This Day

1917: Mexico Adopts Constitution

On February 5th, 1917 our neighbors to the South (if you are in the United States) adopted their current constitution!

Venustiano Carranza called for a special congress in Querétaro. The purpose was to make some changes to the constitution of 1857. Now, the new constitution of 1917 did give the president quite a bit of power, but it also included the hopes and dreams of the different groups that took part in the Mexican Revolution. One of those dreams was the agrarian reform that Emiliano Zapata's followers were pushing for.

Technology

The Future of Productivity

The Apple Vision Pro packs a ton of tech like those high-res displays and slick sensors, making it a powerhouse in the AR world. But the real kicker? It's launching with a slim selection of apps, which is a bit of a bummer considering you're shelling out $3,500.

The design is solid, no doubt (minus the cord). It looks good and feels futuristic, but what you can actually do with it right now is what counts. The hand tracking is smooth, giving you a new way to interact in AR, and being able to use your regular iPhone and iPad apps is a cool feature, even if they're not fully optimized for the headset.

In essence, the Vision Pro is stacked with potential and could seriously shake things up in AR. With a monster collaboration with Microsoft underway to revolutionize the Office suite, the future of productivity is intriguing. But for now, it's more about the potential than the actual payoff. It'll need a beefier app lineup and some real practical uses to justify the price tag and become more than just the latest tech toy.

Some influencers have taken to X to show how they are using the device for absolute sensory overload (also known as being a reply-guy).

Headline Palooza

Decent Destinations

Roatan, Honduras

Have you ever heard of an amazing island off the northern coast of Honduras called Roatan? This place is truly something special. It's located in the western Caribbean and stretches out for about 40 miles while it's only about 3 miles wide.

Roatan was actually formed by an underwater mountain range called the Bonacca Ridge. This ridge is responsible for creating not only Roatan but also several other small islands and Keys in the surrounding areas.

Oh, and Roatan is home to the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere and some of the most welcoming people in Central America. So, if you're looking for a slice of paradise with a culture all to its own, Roatan is the place to be.

Economy

A Warning Sign That We Haven’t Seen Since the Great Depression

Times are looking tough, and it feels like we're gearing up for a storm on Wall Street the likes of which we haven't seen in a long while. In the last few years, the market's been like a rollercoaster with its ups and downs, making even the savviest investors sweat.

Now, with all this talk about the U.S. money supply taking a dip for the first time since the Great Depression, it's got people on edge. It's not just a small blip either; we're seeing a drop that historically spells trouble, like massive economic slowdown kind of trouble.

What's making everyone extra jittery is that it's not just the money supply that's signaling a downturn. Commercial bank credit is also in the spotlight, showing a pullback that we've only seen a few times over the last fifty years. Each time it happened before it wasn't just a rainy day. Banks getting stingy with loans means businesses can't do their thing, like hiring or expanding, which doesn't bode well for anyone.

So, what's the game plan? It's all about being prepared. Now's the time to make sure your financial house is in order because those who are ready might just find opportunities in the chaos. But don't mistake this for a run-of-the-mill dip. We're in for some choppy waters, and it'll take some savvy navigating to come out on the other side.