👊 Fighting Inflation

Yes. This is the City Chad, your financial strength coach, gearing up to help you bench press those expenses. Let’s get pumped!

Hey guys, before we start the show, can you do us a solid and follow us on Instagram? It would really help! Thank you

In this week’s edition:

• Markets: 😮‍💨 Some Respite

• Article: 👊 Fighting Inflation

• News: 🚓 Nevada Protestors Rammed

• Travel destination: ✈️ Belgrade

• Chad of the Week: 🧪 Bryan Johnson

Follow Us: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads

MARKETS: 😮‍💨SOME RESPITE

After an ugly end of summer we had a green week in the markets. What happened?

Some of the usual suspects are still delivering. Nvidia being one of them.

This is the company that makes computer chips needed to fuel the AI revolution. And they are unsurprisingly killing it when it comes to the game of making money.

They recently reported earnings beating estimates and reaching a stock all-time high. So there is still optimism left in the markets, particularly for companies with solid narratives.

There was also some bad news that became good news!

Basically the labor market in the US is not as strong as earlier in the year. Job openings keep falling.

Why did this pump stocks? It means the FED is less likely to raise rates if economic conditions deteriorate. Meaning lower borrowing costs to invest… in stocks! And other things.

Crypto had a very impressive week. Grayscale won their lawsuit against the SEC, meaning it is more likely we will get a spot Bitcoin ETF.

Why? Well a listed ETF is like a stock trading on the “normie” stock market. So more investors will be able to invest in Bitcoin without having to be tech nerds or using centralized exchanges like Binance.

More demand the price goes up. Simples.

ARTICLE: 👊 FIGHTING INFLATION

TLDR: I know inflation has been in our minds a lot. More than the one that got away. But worry not! We’ve got some savvy strategies to tackle this economic challenge. Shrewd investments and savvy financial maneuvers. We'll uncover ways to protect our hard-earned money. So, get ready for an exploration into the realm of outsmarting inflation.

• Why is inflation?

• The Impact of Inflation

• Investment Strategies

• Playing the Inflation Metagame

Why is Inflation?

You know I don’t like to use fancy words often. But today we have to talk about Inflation. Yes, the consistent rise in prices, that hardly ever goes the other way.

A little bit of inflation is part of a healthy economy. Won’t bore you with the details but “trust me, bro”.

It can become a bad problem, especially when real wages can’t keep up.

Thankfully, there are a few strategies we can use to protect our hard-earned money.

The Impact of Inflation

How badly does inflation really hurt your pocket? Let’s look at the purchasing power of a dollar in the last 90 years:

Not a pretty picture.

So what can you do about it? Socialists try controlling prices but that only leads to shortages of products. Please don’t vote for someone who promises that.

What you need to do is to adopt approaches and strategies to mitigate its effects.

Generally the way to do this is by strategic investments that outpace the rate of inflation.

Investment Strategies

1. Stocks: Historically they have shown the potential to outperform inflation over the long term.

Rather than having your money accumulating dust and losing its buying power over time, acquire an asset that will increase its value over time.

2. Diversification: Stocks are great, but they are not the only thing that can help you against inflation. Other asset classes like bonds, real estate or commodities will help you to spread the risk.

Look at the Real Estate market in recent times. It has gone crazy expensive. If you are part of the game as an investor then you can hedge or partially mitigate the cost of housing you experience.

And you don’t need to buy a whole house to do that… REITs are also an alternative that require a lot less capital and attention.

Of course having multiple income streams includes your side-hustle. So get to work lad!

3. Dividends: Some companies may pay you some revenue just for holding its stock. These are called dividend paying stocks and are great if you want some income without the need of selling the stock.

Looking for companies with a history of maintaining or increasing dividends is a great place to start.

As things become more expensive, they are able to charge more and pay more dividends (in theory).

Which leads me to the next point...

4. Businesses with pricing power: If people are willing to pay a little more for a product, the company that produces it is better positioned to withstand inflation by adjusting their prices to match or exceed the rate of inflation.

Think about businesses that can raise their prices without losing consumers.

Oil companies for example (we all need the black stuff), or premium brands with high loyalty.

Playing the Inflation Metagame

There’s definitely more than you can do to fight inflation than just investing. Here are the top strategies:

1. Increasing Your Value: I know this sounds crazy simple and stupid. But few people really take it seriously.
   
   You want the value of your skills to the world to always increase. Certainly above inflation.
   
   Invest in learning about investing. Develop new skills. Keep reading City Chad and refer your friends!
   

2. Negotiate Salaries: Don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary to keep up with inflation. Just remember those UPS workers we talked about before.
   
   Regularly reviewing your compensation and discussing adjustments with your employer can help maintain your real income.
   
   If you need a great book on negotiation, read Getting to Yes.
   
   Being a good negotiator is essential to be good at life, not just to beat inflation.
   

3. Review Your Spending Habits: Another no-brainer. Monitor your spending and create a budget to control unnecessary expenses. This can help you save money and reduce the impact of rising prices on your finances.
   
   Put the savings in an investment account and kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
   

4. Avoid High-Interest Debt: Even in times of low inflation high-interest debt will erode your financial stability. Prioritize paying off high-interest debts to alleviate financial stress.
   
   Paying off debt is the only investment you will ever make when you are guaranteed a return (in this case, an interest saving).
   

5. Focus on Productivity: This is a strange one. But it’s all about doing more with less. If you work on your side-hustle, what is the minimum amount of investment you have to spend to make a given amount of money? Anything more is a waste.
   
   In your daily life, how productive are you with your time? Time is money. Time wasted = money lost.
   
   You can think about it in this way… what is your personal non-financial inflation? 
   
   Spending time doing things and with people that don’t move you forward. Cut out that expense and it will also help your wallet and brain indirectly.

That’s it, folks. It’s never an easy task and protecting from inflation requires a combination of strategies.

Focus on these and you’ll be safe and sound.

NEWS: 🚓 NEVADA PROTESTORS RAMMED

Did it make you laugh or did it make your blood boil?

You probably already saw the video of the police ramming a group of “Climate Activists” in Nevada. “We are peaceful protestors” was the cry of one of them. She was then arrested.

So, what’s Chad’s take on this? Expressing concerns about climate change is a fundamental right. No question about that.

But this form of protest violates the social contract and our democratic system. And I for one am more than happy that action was taken to stop this.

See, in a representative democracy we have elected officials tasked with implementing the will of the people.

If you believe a given cause should be a priority, you vote for the party that promises to address that issue. It is not perfect, but it is the best we got.

And it generally works well.

Now, this type of protest is the epitome of self-serving vanity politics. It is not democratic. And it is harmful to others.

Just because you really really believe in a cause does not put you above the rest of us in society. You cannot try to shortcut the process because you believe you have the moral high ground.

Who gave you that right? No one, that’s who.

In more practical terms, this type of incident also serves as a reminder of the risks associated with blocking roads during protests. It could have ended much worse than it did.

Not only does this endanger the safety of protestors, but it also poses a threat to motorists and law enforcement officers attempting to manage the situation.

Road blockades can disrupt essential services and emergency responses. It affects individuals in urgent need of medical assistance and delays the transportation of vital goods.

Advocacy and activism play a pivotal role in addressing climate change and pretty much all issues we face as a society. Yet it's crucial to follow the rules we all play by. There are no shortcuts.

/

TRAVEL DESTINATION: ✈️ BELGRADE

Ah, Belgrade, a city that defies expectations. Before my visit, I was clueless about Serbia, assuming Hollywood horror films held all the answers. My younger self didn't know better.

After spending quite some time in this vibrant place, I must say I was pleasantly proved wrong. It's a lively European capital that deserves more attention from travelers. It’s a city that beckons to be explored and understood.

A visit to Belgrade is synonymous with coffee culture. Europe's first coffee shop was born here in 1522 with the arrival of the Ottomans in the 16th century. And it shows in the way people are: warm, friendly, family oriented and traditional.

You can tell Belgrade has kept a very distinct identity. A mix of Balkan and Slavic culture. Many hip bars play traditional music, mixed with the latest hits. A real unique experience I would definitely recommend.

Eat: Kafeterija, a renowned chain, stands as a prime spot for coffee enthusiasts. They offer an array of coffees, including the famed Kopi Luwak, and the baristas are well-versed in each blend's nuances and seasonal preferences. For lunch or dinner, head to the Belgrade Waterfront, where you will find plenty of excellent options. Another place, a little further away and with a more hipster vibe is Silosi.

City landscape: Belgrade boasts impressive churches that demand attention. The city houses the world's largest Orthodox Church, the Temple of St. Sava. It doesn’t fall short on museums either, the museum of Yugoslavia, Museum of Aviation, Nikola Tesla Museum, and others cater to diverse interests.

Nightlife: Belgrade's reputation for epic nocturnal revelries is well-earned. In the summer, Splavovi (floating clubs) dominate the scene. Each boat offers a unique experience, from house music to turbo-folk. A sunset cruise along the river or an evening at Blaznavac Kafe-bar provide unforgettable nightlife experiences.

Keep Fit: There are plenty of PAYG gyms in the area (just search Google Maps). But having such a wonderful promenade, I’d recommend a jog along the Belgrade Waterfront.

Stay: Belgrade boasts fantastic historic hotels, offering a touch of luxury that won't disappoint. Iconic choices include Hotel Moskva with its Art Nouveau charm, Sky Hotel's modern décor and amenities, and the renowned Metropol Palace.

CHAD OF THE WEEK: 🧪 BRYAN JOHNSON

Are death and old age an illness that can actually be prevented? I know of someone that would say they are. That person is Bryan Johnson, our Chad of the Week.

Imagine a life in which you are at peak performance every day. Thanks to the power of technology and an extraordinary daily routine, entrepreneur Johnson is making that possible.

In 2022 he invested $2 million in a quite ambitious experiment: using biotech to reverse the aging clock of his 45-year-old body to try and rejuvenate it to that of an 18-year-old in a “natural” way (whatever that means).

That requires extreme discipline. It involved changing his lifestyle to a strict vegan diet, daily exercise, abstention from alcohol and sweets, and early bedtimes.

Every moment is a ritual in Bryan’s life. His house is now a temple to medicine, he has a staff of about 30 doctors counseling him, sleeps under special lights and consumes over 100 tablets a day, comprising vitamins and medications.

Some people say he’s vain. Others that he’s delusional. Even I was a skeptic at first. But after seeing his approach I now think differently.

His quest for eternal youth stands as a testament to human curiosity and determination. He is applying a scientific approach to solve perhaps the biggest challenge us conscious beings have ever encountered. Death.

He has nothing to lose and either he will win over death or die trying. What is for sure is that he will leave us with part of the path already solved. What a Chad.

P.s. If you are interested in his “Blueprint” anti-ageing protocol, check it out here, it’s free.

💖 SHARE THE LOVE

If you enjoy this content, please share it with those you love. Hit the little button below and the magic will happen:

🧔‍♂️ CHAD MEME

DISCLAIMER

The material on this email and our website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and we make no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of its content – it is subject to change. Please conduct your own due diligence and research.

None of this information is financial advice, and you should consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Your capital is at risk and you may lose more than you initially invested. We do not provide any offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment products, nor does this constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services.

The Chad index (“the index”) is a combination of historical returns for the following assets:

Equities: Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF USD Acc
Fixed Income: iShares Core Gl Aggregate Bd UCITS ETF USD Hgd Acc
Real Estate: iShares Developed Markets Property Yield UCITS ETF USD (Acc)
Gold: Gold Bullion Securities Limited
Ethereum
Bitcoin

The index is rebalanced quarterly to the target weights shown in the table. The target weights are subject to change. The index does not represent the performance of a real portfolio and does not imply a recommendation to invest in any of those assets. Past performance is not an indication of future performance.