I see what you’re saying about this whole hero thing but how about instead like a few months just feeling like I belong in this world and enjoy existence?

Covid-like shortages for US consumers ‘within weeks’ Shipping data shows container traffic from China to the US is collapsing A shopper looks at nearly empty egg shelves in a grocery store. Apollo Global Management said there “will be empty shelves in US stores in a few weeks”, similar to those of the pandemic, and warned of “significant layoffs” next month

President Trump claimed he has already struck “200 deals” on tariffs with foreign leaders — even as one of America’s biggest asset managers warned that a fall in trade between the US and China will lead to Covid-like shortages within weeks.

Apollo Global Management, which manages about $700 billion of assets, said analysis of China shipping data showed container traffic from there to the US is collapsing.

The consequence “will be empty shelves in US stores in a few weeks and Covid-like shortages for consumers and for firms using Chinese products as intermediate goods”, Torsten Slok, Apollo’s chief economist, said.

• Trump: I’ve made 200 tariff deals and spoken to President Xi

The White House claims that scores of trade deals are close to completion but has yet to release details of any. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump said that trade negotiations with foreign powers could be “finished” within “three to four weeks”.

“Ultimately, I’ve made all the deals,” Trump said in the interview to mark his first 100 days in office. “I’ve made 200 deals.”

Trump said that China’s President Xi had called him, despite China denying any contact between the two governments over the trade war between the economic superpowers. The president did not say when he and Xi spoke or what the two leaders discussed. “He’s called. And I don’t think that’s a sign of weakness on his behalf,” Trump said.

Trump has placed punitive 145 per cent tariffs on imports from China, while Beijing has retaliated with 125 per cent levies on US goods. “There’s a number at which they will feel comfortable,” Trump said, referring to China. “But you can’t let them make a trillion dollars on us.”

Explaining his approach to the tariff policy that has triggered weeks of ­turmoil on global markets, the ­president compared the US to the world’s department store.

“I am this giant store. It’s a giant, beautiful store, and everybody wants to go shopping there,” he said. “And on behalf of the American people, I own the store, and I set prices, and I’ll say, ‘If you want to shop here, this is what you have to pay.’ ”

The White House suspended tariffs on other countries for 90 days this month as foreign leaders vowed to negotiate with the Trump administration, but it has not spared China.

Vowing to “fight to the end”, Beijing has restricted exports of rare earth minerals that are vital for manufacturing batteries and high-tech devices.

Apollo warned that a collapse in trade between the US and China would lead to “significant lay-offs in trucking, logistics and retail” next month.

The White House has softened its posture towards China in recent days, claiming that trade talks with Beijing were moving the right direction. China dismissed the claim as “fake news”.

Markets were subdued on Friday. US equities rallied earlier in the week, with the S&P 500 on Thursday posting its third straight gain of more than 1 per cent and the Nasdaq its own third straight gain of more than 2 per cent

I havnt finished reading Ive just gotten excited when you mentioned the sugar and molasses information.

For years I’ve only bought pure cane sugar. It is interchangeabe with white sugar, it also still has its molasses. If a recipe calls for a half cup of white sugar and a half cup of brown sugar, I just use a full cup of cane sugar. This works beautifully. Even a recipe that calls for caster sugar. I have placed it in the food processor and ran it for a bit to make it more fine, no issue there. It worked in the recipe beautifully. I do have molasses in my cabinet for its purposes, because they are some, but I don’t understand why today we need white sugar and brown sugar differentiated when we have regular cane sugar. To bake a white cake (The only instance I can think where you would need white sugar at the moment) is pure vanity, not practicality.

I’m so glad you’ve mentioned it here

China stopped importing it.

Big fan of buying used on eBay, here. Works amazingly for clothes, too. They aren’t nearly as poor quality or as dirty as people would imagine. I can get brand new shoes or pairs of pants for $10-$20 per pair!

Supposedly the TP issue was that the supply chain was segmented out by office TP and home TP, can’t easily switch over easily but everyone was crapping at home.

I agree.

90% of toilet paper is apparently domestically produced in the USA.

Doesn’t matter. The shortage wasn’t rational then and it won’t be rational this time. It will just be the first thing people hoard.

I installed a bidet like two weeks before that entire shortage started. I have never felt more smug about a decision.

I think the “too much winning” is the best

Tbf, a lot of Dem voters sat it out, allowing him in. Don’t forget that special class of virtue signalling moron.

I could give them a few reasons if they’re struggling to come up with their own.

For heavens sake Johnson, didnt your mother teach you that its a wink and a nudge. You dont just say that stuff out loud.

I wonder where most bidets are manufactured

Having just spent 2 weeks in japan, I’m not looking forward to my first poop at home. Am going to be looking at cost of upgrading.

I want one so bad, but I can’t get the husband on board. I have considered just buying it and installing it myself via the “do it anyways and ask for forgiveness” method, but dunno if butt spray is a battle I’m willing to choose yet. I just want to convince him it’s a good idea.

I also have a box of sandpaper

I grew up poor as hell. I broke the cycle in my family just in time to have to deal with this shit. My garden is looking like it’s going to do well this year and if meat starts getting scarce I can go hunting from time to time or get some yard birds from the friends I get my eggs from, but god damn (or maybe I’ll go vegetarian, wouldn’t be the first time), I just wanted a little more time not having to live hand to mouth.

But I’ll make it as long as flour doesn’t get to be the price of beef. And I’ll complain the whole fucking time.

Rice and Sriracha for dinner again!

A few dozen eggs?

Yes, USD. I bought some fresh food (and do so regularly), but also a ton of non-perishables: lots of canned food, various kinds of rice, cereals, oatmeal, lots of water, etc. Protein and carbs. 48 rolls of toilet paper (I have a bidet so this will last me about two years), and so on.

I’m building up my reserves. I have a large pantry and several large cupboards to keep it all in, and could probably buy another $700 worth and have a place to keep it. I also cook at home for most meals and so I rotate through these food stuffs faster than you’d expect. There’s no canned food older than two years, and most items are newer than six months. I generally buy more than I need, but not usually this much.

I’m not a “prepper” in an “underground bunker” sense, but I do prepare for emergencies and instability, whatever form it may take: political, yes, but I also live on several fault lines, so “the big one” might happen at some point. In the winter, ice and snow occasionally confine me to my home for a week or two at a time. They’re all the same to me from a planning perspective.

The original price was $850, but I clip coupons and maximize sales and brought it down by over $150.

Stockpiling

Jesus, Mary and Joseph and all his carpenter friends what the fuck did you spend 700 dollars on? Is that US?

Eggs.

Probably a lot of non-perishables, or like those camping meals with a 10-year life span.

Could actually be a lot of canned goods. The top shelf stuff is like $5 per can 😳