August 27th, 2022 | Streaming Services, Student Loans, Federal Reserve, Inflation/Interest Rates Rising, Bed Bath & Beyond, Subscriptions/Cell phones, Electric Vehicles, Tesla & Housing Market

<p>Streaming Services </p> <p>We knew the day was coming when streaming would have bigger viewership than cable TV. It officially happened this past July. Streaming services accounted for 34.8% of total US TV viewing compared with cable at 34.4%. The 34.8% streaming services viewing climbed dramatically from 23% one year earlier. We may see similar numbers in August but in September we may see a switch back to cable as major networks launch new seasons and new shows. Streaming businesses are still losing hundreds of millions of dollars as witnessed in the latest quarter. Part of this is because of the cost to create new content and it is so easy to switch from one streaming company after a specific show/series is over to another streaming company. Remember how difficult switching cable companies was? You had to have a cable guy come out for an appointment that was set a week ago and then wait half a day at home for them to show up to switch your service. Now you can switch your streaming service just sitting on your couch in the comfort of your living room. I think the winner long term in the streaming services will be those that have the most titles in their libraries, along with the best studios to produce new content in.</p> <p>Student Loans </p> <p>The news from President Biden around student loan debt is quite frankly idiotic and dangerous in my opinion. To begin with we are delaying payments on student loan debt again to the end of December 31st, because people have not had enough time to prepare? What about the last 2+ years of not making payments? Also, the $10,000 worth of forgiveness is estimated to cost another $300 B. In an inflationary environment the type of loose spending we have been seeing does nothing to help reduce the inflation burden for the average consumer and in fact likely fuels inflation higher. It is also just unfair to the people that have diligently paid off their debt, opted to join the military to receive the GI bill, or just avoided college due to the high cost. The biggest problem