Author: The Street

Elon Musk and Donald Trump both want win the hearts of Republicans.

The first has become in the past year one of the most influential voices in Republican and conservative circles, which applaud his determination to make Twitter a platform where conservative voices dominate after nearly two years marked by safeguards on the social network to limit xenophobic messages, abuse and the spread of false information.

Like many conservatives, Musk railed against Twitter 1.0’s content policy, which went so far as to banish former President Donald Trump after his supporters stormed Congress on Jan. 6, 2021 to block certification of Joe Biden’s victory.

Twitter had also deactivated the accounts of members of the far right and accounts violating its policy about transgender people for example.

But no sooner had the Twitter deal been finalized on Oct. 27 than Musk instituted a laissez-faire approach in the name of free speech. He reactivated most of the blocked accounts, including Trump’s.

Musk Has a Growing Influence

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who describes himself as a “free Speech absolutist,” has also made it his mission to rebalance, according to him, the balance of power between conservatives and progressives on social networks and in the media. This mission has earned him the support of many conservatives, who see in him a sort of new hero.

His popularity has continued to grow in recent months to the point where Musk has more than 124 million followers on Twitter. That’s more than the nearly 88 million followers Trump had amassed on his personal Twitter account — @RealDonaldTrump — before it was suspended after the January 2021 events at the Capitol.

Musk receives unparalleled media coverage, reminiscent of Trump’s when he was in the White House. This influence of the Techno King, as he’s known at Tesla, thus overshadows Trump, who launched his campaign for the 2024 presidential election last November.

The former president sees Musk as an adversary because the latter has announced that he would support Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis should he decide to run. The entrepreneur also asked Trump to retire because he was too old.

“Trump would be 82 at end of term, which is too old to be chief executive of anything, let alone the United States of America,” Musk said for example last July. “If DeSantis runs against Biden in 2024, then DeSantis will easily win – he doesn’t even need to campaign.”

“I don’t hate the man, but it’s time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset,” Musk also said the same day.

Musk has pledged to personally spend $20 million to $25 million to support his candidate.

But Trump, who is as abrasive as Musk, responded to the attacks by calling the tech mogul a “bullshit artist.”

“Elon, Elon is not going to buy Twitter,” Trump said on July 9 at a rally in Anchorage, Alaska. “Where did you hear that before? From me.” And then he went on the attack.

“You know, he said the other day ‘Oh, I’ve never voted for a Republican’. I said I didn’t know that. He told me he voted for me. So he’s another bullshit artist.”

An Unexpected Topic of Agreement

There have been more spades between the two men. Recently, Musk did not hesitate to remind Trump, who continues to contest the results of the 2020 elections, that the Constitution is above all men.

“The Constitution is greater than any President. End of story” Musk posted on Twitter on Dec. 5, after the former President called for the suspension of the US Constitution, due, he said, to the alleged “massive and widespread fraud” in the 2020 presidential election.

The two men have therefore had more subjects of dissension between them in recent months than subjects of agreement. It should also be remembered that despite the reactivation of his Twitter account by Musk, Trump has still not posted a single message.

But things have just changed as Musk seems to share Trump’s analysis of one of the main reasons for the absence of a red wave during the midterm elections last November.

According to Trump, the mixed results and defeats of some Republican candidates are not his fault but are due to the fact that many conservatives did not go to the polls because the Supreme Court gave them an unexpected victory by making abortion illegal at the federal level.

The Supreme Court indeed overturned Roe V. Wade on June 24.

“It wasn’t my fault that the Republicans didn’t live up to expectations in the MidTerms. I was 233-20!” Trump lamented on Truth Social, his social media on Jan. 1. “It was the ‘abortion issue,’ poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother, that lost large numbers of Voters.”

Warren Buffett's Fortune Gains as Elon Musk Fumbles

Warren Buffett’s net worth increased in 2022, and he rose to rank as the fifth richest man in the world.

Buffett’s fortune fell by only $1.48 billion, a performance that outpaces four tech titans, including current and former CEOs Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Larry Ellison.

Buffett’s net worth had risen to $107 billion as of Jan., 1, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index which calculates the fortunes of billionaires and updates them after the close of the stock market trading day. The stock market traded on Dec. 30, but was closed on Jan. 2 in observance of the New Year’s holiday.

The stock market faced a brutal year as tech stocks sunk, but Buffett’s investments performed better and enabled him to close the gap with Musk, who lost the title of the world’s richest man.

Musk now ranks as the second richest man after his fortune plummeted by $133 billion to a net worth of $137 billion. He is now running Twitter and electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla TSLA – Get Free Report.

The massive loss in his net worth occurred as fears of inflation, a weaker economy and the mercurial CEO’s distraction from his acquisition of Twitter, have sent Tesla shares tumbling.

The fortune of Microsoft founder Bill Gates fell by $28.9 billion and is valued at $109 billion.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, ended the year with a loss of $85.4 billion while his net worth stands at $107 billion. He is ranked as the sixth richest man by Bloomberg.

Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage via Getty

Berkshire Hathaway’s Bought Semi, Oil, Bank Stocks

The conglomerate run by Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, purchased over $4 billion in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor TSM – Get Free Report during the third quarter while it sold some shares of two bank stocks – Bank of New York BK – Get Free Report and U.S. Bancorp USB – Get Free Report, according to a Nov. 14 U.S. Securities and Exchange filing.

The behemoth bought shares of oil giant Chevron CVX and Occidental Petroleum OXY – Get Free Report during the third quarter and also acquired 60 million shares of Taiwan Semiconductor, which is a contract producer of semiconductors globally.

Berkshire increased its holding in Chevron by 3.9 million shares to a total of 165.3 million shares and also bought 35 million more shares in Occidental Petroleum to raise its stake to 194.3 million shares.

Musk’s Many Challenges

Since Musk acquired Twitter, he has been in constant battle with the company’s employees and advertisers. He fired 50% of the staff immediately, including the CEO and CFO. Hundreds more left the company after Musk set a deadline for them to commit to lengthy hours, weekend work and a “hardcore” attitude, or leave.

Musk even launched a fight with Apple AAPL – Get Free Report because he disliked the fee the tech behemoth charges for purchases made in apps distributed in its app store- taking a 30% cut.

In his latest feud, Musk alleged that Apple made threats to “withhold” Twitter from its store for iOS apps, but did not state a reason.

Musk also tweeted that Apple had “mostly stopped advertising” on the social media platform.

Apple remains Berkshire Hathaway’s top stock holding and the number of shares did not change during the quarter. Berkshire owns 895 million shares that make up 40% of the portfolio.

Apple CEO Tim Cook told CBS News on Nov. 15 that the moderation of content on Twitter for hate speech was critical.

“They say that they are going to continue to moderate,” he said. “I’m counting on them to continue to do that.”

Twitter was acquired by Musk for $44 billion on Oct. 27 at what even he admitted was a high valuation for the company.

Since taking over Twitter, Musk reactivated the account of former President Donald Trump after 22 months of suspension, following the events of Jan. 6, 2021, on Capitol Hill. He also reactivated accounts banned for anti-trans comments and for spreading hate speech.

What Is the Bernanke Doctrine? Why Is It Important?

Image of a helicopter with text overlay: "What Is the Bernanke Doctrine?" — Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke literally wrote a new playbook for financial crisis management

Somchai Kongkamsrifrom Pexels; Canva

Who Is Ben Bernanke?

Ben Bernanke, 14th Chairman of the Federal Reserve, was hailed for his leadership through the 2007–2008 Financial Crisis. Although the crisis would result in the 18-month-long Great Recession, Bernanke steered the economy to safer waters relatively quickly—that is, compared with other crises of similar magnitudes, such as the Great Depression, which lasted for over a decade.

Bernanke achieved many accomplishments during his 14-year tenure helming the Fed, including increasing transparency at an agency known for issuing riddle-like pronouncements that often left Wall Street scratching its head. Bernanke implemented quarterly press conferences that shed light on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)’s policy decisions as well as its projections for the future.

In these Summaries of Economic Projections, Bernanke did away with previously “flexible” inflation targeting and instead instituted a formal threshold of 2%. He also defined “normal” levels of long-term unemployment at between 5.2% and 6% as clear standards the Fed should fulfill in order to achieve a healthy U.S. economy through low prices and maximum employment—after all, that’s its mandate.

In addition, Bernanke used unconventional monetary policy tools that helped the economy quickly recover from the subprime mortgage crisis, including large-scale asset purchases known as quantitative easing.

What Is the Bernanke Doctrine?

In a speech to the National Economists Club in Washington, DC, on November 21, 2002, Bernanke famously outlined his views on using both monetary and fiscal policy measures to resolve recessions. The core of his speech centered around Japan’s Lost Decade, a particularly steep crisis that ensnared Japan’s economy between 1991 and 2001 (and some argue, even longer than that). Several years into the recession, Japan faced a liquidity trap because its central bank had slashed interest rates as low as they could go, 0%, which is also known as the “zero lower bound.”

Liquidity traps can lead to deflation, which may be the most precarious situation for a central bank to resolve, because prices are declining, and consumers aren’t spending. What tools can a central bank use to combat deflation if interest rates are already at zero? It’s a slippery slope.

But Bernanke believed that, under a fiat currency system, which is not backed by gold, deflation is “always reversible.” He used the parable of an alchemist who discovered a way to produce unlimited amounts of gold with no production cost. The market should respond to this discovery by immediately devaluing gold prices, he reasoned, even before the alchemist actually produced said ingots.

Why? Because things, like commodities, or even currencies, have value because they have limited supply. Bernanke extended the metaphor to the U.S. dollar, saying that if the Federal Reserve used its printing presses and created many more dollars in circulation (or even issued a promise to do so), the U.S. government could thus reduce the value of the dollar in terms of goods and services, and thus raise the prices of said goods and services, thereby escaping the liquidity trap.

Bernanke reasoned that, even though it had reached the zero lower bound, Japan’s central bank did not “run out of ammo.” Had it opened its printing presses and added more yen into circulation, it could have increased demand as well as economic activity, although he also noted that political reforms, and not just policy measures, were needed to heal Japan’s economy, since it had experienced the crushing burst of a years-long asset bubble in its real estate and stock markets, which had caused a country-wide network of businesses to become insolvent.

What Are the Three Principles of the Bernanke Doctrine?

The situation in Japan was riveting storytelling, but it alone did not make central banks flock to the Bernanke Doctrine. Rather, it was three principles that Bernanke outlined that have become a de-facto playbook for central banks to follow to avoid deflation, rescue economies from recessions, and deal with other large-scale economic challenges.

Principle 1

The first principle outlined in Bernanke’s doctrine is that central banks should aim to create a “buffer zone” for inflation rates to avoid the liquidity trap that comes when interest rates hit the zero lower bound—and often fosters deflation. After all, inflation isn’t always a bad thing: A country with zero inflation also has zero growth! Therefore, most countries should set inflation targets between 1% and 3%. “Maintaining an inflation buffer zone reduces the risk that a large, unanticipated drop in aggregate demand will drive the economy far enough into deflationary territory to lower the nominal interest rate to zero,” Bernanke said.

Principle 2

Central banks should do everything in their power to prevent financial crises, even if that means resorting to unconventional policy measures. Bernanke pointed to former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan’s promise to “do whatever necessary” to calm markets in the aftermath of the 1987 stock market crash. Greenspan had encouraged banks to continue to make loans on their usual terms, which went a long way in maintaining financial liquidity.

Other examples of the “unconventional measures” Bernanke was referring to included fiscal policy measures that increased the monetary supply, like quantitative easing. Through this measure, a central bank attempts to restore confidence by buying back trillions of dollars of long-term Treasury securities, which also spurs banks into lending (because it drives down long-term interest rates).

A still more fantastical form of support is the practice of injecting “helicopter money” into circulation. A government can invoke this tactic by sending its citizens a short-term monetary stimulus through a tax cut, increased government spending, or even a paper check. “Even if households decided not to increase consumption but instead re-balanced their portfolios by using their extra cash to acquire real and financial assets, the resulting increase in asset values would lower the cost of capital and improve the balance sheet positions of potential borrowers,” Bernanke said. The idea was met with such surprise that it earned Bernanke the moniker “Helicopter Ben.”

Principle 3

If inflation is low and the economy suddenly sputters, the central bank should act “more preemptively and more aggressively than usual” in cutting interest rates. This should keep the economy from deteriorating into deflationary territory, Bernanke concluded.

Why Is the Bernanke Doctrine Important?

Bernanke spoke to the National Economists Club in 2002, while he was serving as a Fed Governor, but it wouldn’t be until several years later, under the mantle of Fed Chair, when Bernanke would have the opportunities to put his theories into practice.

And, in short, they worked.

After Lehman Brothers imploded due to rampant speculation in toxic subprime debt, the stock market crashed in October, 2008. Bernanke quickly positioned the Fed as the “lender of the last resort” and worked diligently alongside Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and New York Fed President Timothy Geithner to provide emergency capital to other investment banks and thus prevent further contagion.

Las Vegas Strip Has Cannabis Lounges, New Casino, Music Venue on way

The Las Vegas Strip somehow came through the covid pandemic stronger than it was in 2019. Caesars Entertainment (CZR) – Get Free Report and MGM Resorts International (MGM) – Get Free Report both made major moves with MGM selling Mirage and buying Cosmopolitan while Caesars rebranded Bally’s under its Horseshoe Brand.

In addition, Caesars spent the year teasing the sale of Flamingo but ultimately did not make that deal. It was a comeback year for the twin titans of Las Vegas with crowds returning, a triumphant NFL Draft, and conventions lining up for a normal 2023.

The Las Vegas story in 2023 — at least as we enter the year — won’t be what Caesars and MGM have planned. That could change, of course, but the biggest changes coming to Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Strip in 2023 won’t be from the Strip’s two dominant players.

In 2022, Las Vegas added 1,335 rooms and 225,000 square feet of convention space, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LCVS). That growth is about to explode in 2023.

“The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s tourism construction bulletin — listing what’s on the development horizon — shows $3.2 billion in projects coming online by the end of 2023 with 4,758 new hotel rooms and 581,000 square feet of new convention space,” the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

That’s exciting, but new casinos and a huge new performance venue may be the second biggest Las Vegas story of the new year.

Planet 13

Legal Consumption Coming to Las Vegas

Las Vegas has legal cannabis, but while the law seems straightforward, there’s a major catch.

“A person who is 21 years of age or older is allowed to possess and consume retail marijuana. A marijuana consumer may possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana or 1/8 of an ounce of concentrated marijuana. Marijuana can only be purchased legally from state-licensed retail marijuana stores,” the law states.

The problem — and it’s a big one — is that it’s not legal to smoke marijuana anywhere in Las Vegas except for a private residence. No hotel allows guests to smoke marijuana and there are no legal consumption lounges.

That has pushed consumption onto the Strip, into parking lots, and really pretty much everywhere outside around the city. Police aren’t going to arrest you for lighting up, but having legal pot without a legal place to smoke it is not ideal.

That’s going to change in the coming year.

Las Vegas, and more broadly the state of Nevada, has a plan to create legal cannabis-consumption lounges. These would work a lot like bars, except they won’t be allowed to sell alcohol. The lounges will be a place where tourists (and residents) can legally smoke cannabis products.

There will be two types of consumption lounges. First, there are the ones that will be associated with existing dispensaries. Planet 13 (PLNHF) , the largest cannabis retailer in Las Vegas, has actually opted to give up its liquor license in order to open a marijuana-consumption lounge.

In addition to lounges associated with dispensaries, Nevada also plans to issue 20 licenses for stand-alone cannabis-consumption lounges, according to the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board.

These lounges will begin opening in the new year. Planet 13 sits about a mile off the Strip. Federal law makes it impossible for casino operators to add lounges, but Las Vegas Strip consumption lounges could happen in locations that are far enough away from casinos.

MSG Sphere, Huge New Casino Coming

In addition to adding consumption lounges, Las Vegas will also welcome an improbable opening in late 2023. Fontainebleau Las Vegas will complete a nearly 20-year odyssey when it opens late this year continuing the revitalization of the north end of the Las Vegas Strip.

The project, which had been left for dead many times over the past two decades, recently got a $2.2 billion loan to ensure its completion.

Once complete Fontainebleau Las Vegas will cover 25 acres and nine million square feet directly adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center. It will feature approximately 3,700 luxury hotel rooms, 550,000 square feet of customizable convention and meeting space, and a “world-class” collection of gaming, dining, retail, lifestyle, and health and wellness experiences, according to its owners.

In addition to Fontainebleau, the Las Vegas Strip will also welcome the MSG (MSGE) – Get Free Report Sphere, a $2,2 billion music/performance venue that’s being built near the Venetian. The Sphere, which will open in the second half of 2023 with U2 expected to play a residency there.

Cathie Wood Watch: Ark Snaps Up More Tesla Shares

Celebrity money manager Cathie Wood of Ark Investment Management, bought shares of her favorite young technology stocks last year as they slid.

Ark’s chief executive has been a particularly big buyer of electric vehicle titan Tesla (TSLA) – Get Free Report since October.

It has suffered from production problems, and there is concern that sales growth will slow. Investors also are worried that Chief Executive Elon Musk is preoccupied with his newly-bought Twitter. Tesla shares plunged 65% in 2022.

Wood pounced on them Dec. 30, with Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK) – Get Free Report purchasing 221,748 shares, worth $27.3 million as of the Dec. 30 close. Tesla is the No. 3 holding in Ark Innovation, Wood’s flagship fund, behind No. 1 Zoom Video Communications and Exact Sciences.

PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Wood’s Returns Disappoint

Meanwhile, Wood’s investment performance underwhelmed last year, as tech stocks fell. Ark Innovation ETF plummeted 67%, and is down 80% from its February 2021 peak.

Wood has defended herself by noting that she has a five-year investment horizon. But the five-year annualized return of Ark Innovation was negative 2.9% through Dec. 30, a far cry from the S&P 500’s positive return of 9.42%.

The fund’s performance also doesn’t come close to Wood’s goal for annualized returns of 15% over five-year periods.

Ark Innovation ETF’s subpar returns may finally be starting to push investors away. The $6 billion fund registered a net investment outflow of $358 million in the past month, according to ETF research firm VettaFi. But it still notched a $1.17 billion inflow for 2022 as a whole.

Wood Has Her Appeal

You might wonder why so many investors have stuck with Wood, despite her mediocre returns. The fact that she had one spectacular year certainly helps. Ark Innovation skyrocketed 153% in 2020.

The 15 Best Gifts for Bakers

We all know a few people who love to bake, right? Fortunately, shopping for bakers can be pretty easy. They can always use new non-stick bakeware, high-quality spices, or even decorative pans and dishes in the latest colors.

How do you choose the best gifts for the bakers in your life? You can look at the latest trends, read reviews to find the highest quality appliances and bakeware, or just scope out their kitchen to see what they might need! Yes, I am totally recommending stalking your family and friends’ cabinets to see what bakeware might be missing or just looking a bit worn out from years of use.

In our gift guide for bakers, we worked hard to find top-rated products that can fit any budget. Baking enthusiasts we polled swore by the KitchenAid Pro Series 5 mixer. But we also included some budget models on our list for beginning bakers.

Don’t forget other products your favorite bakers can use in the kitchen, from aprons to storage containers for their sugar and flour. The best gifts for bakers, ideally, are ones they will use year-round and remember you fondly each time they do. Because, you know, if they think of you when they bake those snickerdoodles or pumpkin pie, they just might think of bringing you some! Baking gifts are really the gifts that give back.

We are certain the bakers on your list will love these gift ideas. And if you’re looking to spend some gift cards you may have received this year, you can treat yourself to some new kitchen necessities or nice-to-have items.

The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.

Price: $55.95, amazon.com

Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Pie Dish — amazon.com

You may not think of a pie dish as a work of art, but the Le Creuset Heritage Pie Dish is breathtakingly gorgeous. There. I said it. Just having this piece in your cabinet or, ideally, on display, will level up any kitchen!

Whether you use it for au gratin potatoes, a small casserole, a quiche, or a pie, it will add a touch of class to any family gathering or dinner party.

Available in colors that include Oyster (a rich gray shade), a classic white, flame (an orange to red fade), or shades of blue, green or red, the pie dish is available to match any kitchen.

Price: $299.95; amazon.com

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Bread Oven — amazon.com

As I mentioned above, I’m a big fan of Le Creuset products for the way they bake evenly and look gorgeous on your countertop. This cast iron bread oven is coated in porcelain enamel for a beautiful look and comes in a choice of 10 eye-catching colors. The tight-fitting lid creates a crispy crust every time, yielding bread that is perfect for dipping in winter soups and stews.

Price: $49.99; amazon.com

Hans Grill Pizza Stone PRO XL Baking Stone — amazon.com

A good pizza stone pays for itself rather quickly when you can make healthy homemade pizzas for your family. This rectangular cordierite pizza stone is a versatile piece of kitchen gear, taking frozen pizza or pastries to the next level and cooking everything from calzones to New York-style pizza pies.

Use it in the oven or on your outdoor grill. The Pro XL set includes a large 14.9-inch by 11.8-inch stone and an anodized aluminum pizza peel, which minimizes your risk of burns when removing the pizza from the oven, while ensuring a crispy crust.

Price: $49.99; SavorySpice.com

Chefs and bakers can always use fresh spices in their cabinet. The Knead to Bake Spice Set from Savory Spice delivers a versatile collection to your door for whipping up sweet treats. The set includes Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract, Mexican Cocoa, Supreme Saigon Cinnamon, and Ground Ginger in glass jars for freshness and purity. The flavors and scents are as strong as you might expect from premium spices. They made for some of the tastiest cookies and cinnamon buns. The back of the box includes a QR code that will lead you to a website with recipes for brownies, spiced cookies, and more.

Price: $279, originally $449; KitchenAid.com

Every pro chef and serious baking enthusiast we spoke to swears by their KitchenAid mixer, and claims the Professional Series, five quart model is the one to invest in. Choose from a handful of stylish colors that can match almost any kitchen décor.

The large five quart bowl can mix nine-dozen cookies at once. Ten speeds make it easy to mix up desserts, breads, or even homemade whipped cream in a snap. With a 4.7-star rating on a number of retail sites, this stand mixer is deemed a “wedding registry favorite.”

Price: $129.99; amazon.com

Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer — amazon.com

If you’re looking for a stand mixer on a budget, Hamilton Beach products are highly rated and built to last. With seven speeds and a four-quart bowl, this electric stand mixer has most of the features of a KitchenAid model at less than half the price. Choose from a variety of colors, including black, red, aqua, pink, white, silver or blue. Prices may vary based on colors.

Price: $36.10, originally $44.99; amazon.com

Not everyone has counter space for a stand mixer. And sometimes, smaller projects just call for the convenience of a hand mixer. The Oster five-speed hand mixer is a top-rated Amazon’s Choice product with three different styles of beaters and a handy storage case.

Price: $179.99; amazon.com

Ninja Foodi NeverStick Bakeware sheet set — amazon.com

As soon as I pulled our new Ninja Foodi NeverStick Premium bakeware out of the box, my husband and daughter set to work. After my daughter made perfectly baked brownies with a delightfully crisp edge, my husband made about eight batches of oatmeal cookies. He then declared that these cookie sheets were his and prohibited anyone else in the house from baking with them.

The 10-piece set includes everything most households could need for baking, including two baking sheets, a cookie sheet, a loaf pan, a muffin pan, four cake pans (two round, one square, and one rectangular) and a roasting rack that can also be used to cool your cookies and cakes.

Price: $34.99, originally $44.95; Stonewallkitchen.com

Brownie Bites pan and brownie mix — stonewallkitchen.com

When you bake a batch of brownies, do your kids clamor for the corners? I know mine do. That’s why this Nordic Bites Brownie Bites Baking Pan is a necessity in my kitchen. I love that it’s made in the U.S. with sturdy cast aluminum construction and a non-stick coating. Pour the brownie mix into the individual squares so everyone in your family can enjoy a “corner piece” of their own with 4 crispy edges. The sea salt brownie mix with chocolate chips and a mix for caramel drizzle makes this a perfect gift for any occasion.

Price: $245; AlmondCow.co

For the baker who is also into making healthier, keto-friendly or paleo desserts and treats, the Almond Cow nut milk maker would be a welcome addition to the kitchen. The appliance creates plant-based milk (such as coconut or almond milk) in minutes with zero waste.

Sure, you can buy your own almond milk. But there’s nothing like the taste of using fresh ingredients in your baking, smoothies, or even soups and salad dressings and the Almond Cow makes it easy and fun. The Almond Cow also includes a recipe book for everything from hot chocolate to almond cookies.

Price: $176; FoodSaver.com

Vacuum Sealer and Preservation System — foodsaver.com

Whether you want to vacuum seal cookies, cakes, or breads for freshness or gift-giving, or you want to freeze items for those busy days when you don’t have time to bake, the FoodSaver Multi-Use Vacuum Sealing and Food Preservation System can do it all. The heat sealer is best to keep foods in the freezer fresh for five times longer than regular freezer wrapping. The handheld vacuum sealer keeps everything from veggies to cookies fresh in the fridge or pantry.

Price: $699; anovaculinary.com

Anova Precision Oven — anovaculinary.com

The Anova Precision Combi oven can replace several of your countertop kitchen appliances with its vast array of capabilities. Convection bake your favorite cakes or cookies for even cooking, air fry foods for better taste with no oil, toast, broil, prepare sous vide foods, roast, defrost, and even dehydrate fruits or beef for the perfect, healthy snack.

The Oven App for your smartphone lets you remotely set the Anova Combi oven, monitor the progress of your food, and turn the oven on and off from any room in your home – or beyond. Browse recipes in the app for the perfect meal. Say good-bye to burnt brownies or dried out poultry with this versatile kitchen appliance that can make any cook feel like a pro chef.

Price: $44; surlatable.com

Every baker can use a new set of high-quality measuring cups and spoons every few years. Shiny new measuring tools just make cooking and baking more fun. This handy set is made of stainless steel for durability and longevity. They nest together for easy storage and have an easy-to-open ring for individual use.

Price: $9.98, originally $19.99; BJs.com

When you’re short on space and looking to make a pretty presentation at a dinner party or other gathering, a multi-tiered server adds variety and dimension to your dessert display. This collapsible stand rack with three 12-inch long porcelain trays is as easy to store as it is stylish.

Price: $103.99; bedbathandbeyond.com

What could be a better gift for any baker than a baker’s rack? I love the shiny steel and bamboo construction of the Trinity EcoStorage Baker’s Rack, plus the fact that it’s eco-friendly, with no toxic chemicals released during its manufacture. With three spacious shelves, a bamboo worktop, and six hooks to hang utensils, this baker’s rack adds convenient storage space to any kitchen in a small footprint of 36 inches deep by 14 inches wide.

Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.

Disney Gets Ready for Major Dining Changes

While most people planning a trip to Disney (DIS) – Get Free Report may be looking forward to the park’s rides or the fun of staying at a Disney hotel most of all, there are certainly people who also look forward to all the special foods the parks offer (beyond Disney’s classic Dole Whip, that is).

If you haven’t visited a Disney park in a while, it’s worth knowing when you go in that there are more craft-inspired dishes than ever before, all with that special Disney touch. If you like to post photos of your food on social media, the resort will be heaven for you.

That said, in order to keep Disney foodies delighted, Disney always has new plans brewing within its culinary world. With several new restaurants slated to open in 2023 as well as a slew of new foods and drinks, those visiting the park in the coming year will have a lot to look forward to.

Disney Parks

New Disney Restaurants for 2023

The first of the big changes coming to Disney can be found at the BoardWalk’s lobby area in the form of Carousel Coffee, an eatery dedicated to delightfully fancy drinks and baked goods — and it’s open now, with business hours of 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day.

Just a few of the drinks you will be able to order at Carousel include a Dark Cherry Mocha Frozen Blended Coffee, a Cinnamon Bun Frozen Blended Coffee, and Pomegranate Green Tea Lemonade, as well as the classic Nitro Cold Brew Coffee for those who prefer a slightly less indulgent option.

As for foods, Disney has announced a Crunchy Raspberry Danish, a Vintage Mickey & Minnie Sugar Cookie, Banana Bread, Blueberry and Chocolate Muffins, and a New Jersey Crumb Cake.

Speaking of sweets, another addition is coming as well. The Cake Bake Shop, founded by baker Gwendolyn Rogers, will open its latest location at the BoardWalk in 2023. From indulgent cakes to classic cookies, this well-loved dessert spot ought to be a perfect fit at Disney.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ, which will be at the front of Toy Story Land within Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, is also on schedule to open in Spring 2023 after several delays. Disney has not announced a specific date yet but it should be forthcoming in the next few months.

New Disney Dining Experiences for 2023

If you’re seeking a truly memorable Japanese dinner, Epcot’s high-end restaurant Takumi-Tei (located inside the Japan pavilion) is adding two omakase experiences in 2023.

Taco Bell Menu Adds New Take on a Beloved McDonald's Item

Taco Bell has built its business, at least partially around the idea of not being McDonald’s (MCD) – Get Free Report or any of the other fast-food burger chains. The Yum Brands (YUM) – Get Free Report chain even used the phrase “think outside the bun” as a tagline and it launched its breakfast offering by making fun of the Egg McMuffin and other Golden Arches classics.

The Mexican chain has not been above borrowing things from its burger chain rivals. Its Nacho Fries are, well, fries. Yes, they have a bit of a spin to make them fit the Taco Bell menu, but they’re just french fries with some Mexican spices and nacho cheese dipping sauces.

Still, Taco Bell has resisted blatantly copying McDonald’s. It doesn’t offer a spin on a burger or its own variation of the Big Mac. Now, however, the fast food chain has been testing some new burritos and fans are questioning whether the items are actually what they’re being marketed as.

Instead, some people have suggested that Taco Bell’s new $2 Chicken Poblano Caesar Burrito seems a lot like a beloved McDonald’s classic that many fans want the chain to bring back.

Shutterstock

McDonald’s Fans Miss the Snack Wrap

The McDonald’s Snack Wrap was an attempt by the chain to add a menu item for people who were hungry but did not want a full meal. The line first apeared in 2006 and it was a pretty simple product — a tortilla filled with a Chicken Select (a piece of fried chicken), lettuce, cheese, and ranch sauce.

Snack Wraps have been off the chain’s U.S. menu since 2016 when franchisees pushed to get rid of them because they were complicated to make. It’s not that it was actually hard to make them, but they required processes that slowed down the overall kitchen.

McDonald’s has teased its fans multiple time recently hinting at a return for the Snack Wrap. In November, it made a Twitter joke about getting Taylor Swift tickets, “its easier to order snack wraps than it is to get these tickets.” that seemed to tease a return. That followed an informal social media poll earlier last year where the chain simply Tweeted “Bring back ____.”

Snack Wraps was one of the, if not the, most-requested items in that very popular Twitter vote. Now, it seems like Taco Bell has knocked off the Snack Wrap, even if it;s calling the new item a buritto.

Taco Bell Fans Clap Back

Taco Bell customers have taken issue with the skimpy Chicken Poblano Caesar Burrito being called a buritto, Eat This, Not That reported.

“At what point does a burrito become a wrap?” asks reddit user u/FileError214. “This is just a salad wrapped up in a tortilla.”

“I don’t know where the line is but this seems firmly in the wrap category,” u/StockAL3Xj added.

“I don’t dislike Caesar salad wraps, I just think it’s silly to call them burritos,” said another.

The Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito, another $2 item Taco Bell has tested in select locations, has been directly called a take on a McDonald’s Snack Wrap by some on social media.

Disney World Listens to Fans, Bringing Back Beloved Show

Walt Disney World has been in full celebration mode for its 50th anniversary all year. The park originally opened in 1971 and since Disney (DIS) – Get Free Report does everything bigger and better than anyone else, that includes anniversary celebrations, the resort celebrated its 50 years across three years. The celebration started in Oct. 2021 and it will continue into 2023.

Disney pulled out all the stops on this party. Characters got special-themed celebration outfits. Attractions were changed up to celebrate and bring about new and exciting shows for the anniversary. Disney launched special 50th Anniversary merchandise like clothing and other collectibles.

It’s a non-stop Disney party that also helped the company make a grand comeback from the pandemic. Disney World dropped all its covid-related rules in 2022 and heads into the new year with packed crowds and few reminders of its dark days.

All things from this magical celebration will come to an end in 2023. Disney will officially close down its anniversary celebrations at the end of March 2023. The closure will leave some fans saddened and others ecstatic to see what will return and or replace the celebratory attractions.

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Disney Dreamers Academy

Show Happily Returning to Disney

“Happily Ever After” fireworks display will make its return in 2023. The return was announced by Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro during the D23 Expo Parks Panel. The crowd was elated to say the least about this announcement. D’Amaro stated it would be an updated version of the spectacular.

The “Happily Ever After” show made its debut in the summer of 2017. The light show is a mix of pyrotechnics, lasers, searchlights, projections, beloved Disney characters, and of course music. The show takes place over the iconic Cinderella Castle and lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Disney stopped the “Happily Ever After” show when it began its 50th Anniversary celebration in 2021. The Disney show “Enchantment” took its place instead. That change made sense, but it left many fans hoping for a return after the anniversary celebration.

The “Happily Ever After” show is a huge fan favorite. Many parkgoers watch the spectacular show from the front of the Castle and Disney regulars may avoid the crowds by watching only the Frontierland’s Riverwalk.

The best spot to watch the Happily Ever After show depends on your group size and what is most important according to WDWPrepschool.com. If your group is only 2-4 people, it should be easy to get a decent spot together, if the group is large like 10-12 it may prove to be more difficult, and more planning is needed. If your group wants to watch the show and exit right away, watching the show at the front near the flagpole will help get your group out of the park quickly.

Groups who want the best view for the overall experience should watch from Main Street. The second best view of the show besides Main Street is Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, but your view will not include the projections that are seen on the Cinderella Castle. The main point is to be able to see the castle as clearly as possible.

Even the Best Laid Plans, Don’t Go as Planned

Happily Ever After was pulled in 2021 to launch Disney’s 50th Anniversary light spectacular, “Disney Enchantment.” The show takes place over the Cinderella Caste, it was meant to replace the “Happily Ever After” night display, but its debut came with much criticism quickly. The new light show launched on Oct 1, 2021, and criticism came immediately.

Disney fans requested that Disney bring back the “Happily Ever After” display. A petition was even started to bring back the fan favorite. Fans claimed the new nighttime show didn’t even compare to the beloved Happily Ever After production. People who signed the petition had a lot to say about it.

“There was no magic in the new show, no tribute to Walt, no message to the audience that inspired you to go follow your dreams, and lack of fireworks. It is now a projection show with some fireworks. Please bring it back, I was planning on going but now we’re not getting our money’s worth. Please reconsider.” – Alexis Wainer

3 Ways You're (Probably) Getting the Stock Market Wrong

Image source: Shutterstock

Most stock market coverage focuses on what’s happening in the moment. Why did shares in this company go up (or down) by a few percentage points? What will some piece of news mean for this company or that company?

A lot of people make money trading based on technical reasons or following other short-term strategies, but a lot more people lose money by trying to find a short-term edge. Usually, when a stock moves by a few percentage points, the reason is that an analyst or someone on television said something about the company.

I can go on TV and talk about how rising beef prices may be a drag on McDonald’s (MCD) – Get Free Report profits in the coming quarter. That may be true, and it may lead to the fast-food chain’s stock dropping, but it also may not as share prices rarely move predictably.

In reality, knowing that rising beef prices will hurt profits at a fast-food chain shows no real insight. What you actually need to learn/understand is how the company handles bumps in the road as they will inevitably occur. Yes, you might be able to make some short-term money if you can predict how the market will digest the beef prices/margin news.

But, you can get rich by identifying which fast-food chains (or any other sort of business) will handle problems well. The media — and pretty much anyone talking about stocks on television — wants you to keep score daily. The reality is that the only standings that matter are the long-term ones.

People make a lot of mistakes when it comes to investing, but these are the three I see get repeated the most often.

1. Thinking Opportunity Is the Same as Success

Sometimes, a company finds a market or a problem where real demand exists. That’s a major step in becoming a successful company, but opportunity alone does not equate to success.

Just because electric vehicle sales will explode over the next few years does not mean that every startup making a needed component for EVs will see growth. Yes, it’s possible but so are other ourtcomes. The car makers, for example, could back another source or decide to build whatever they need on their own.

Identifying a company’s opportunity is one piece of the puzzle, but it’s not the crucial one. Can the company execute? Can it sell? Will it hold up to competition if it establishes the category?

Take Teladoc (TDOC) – Get Free Report, the online healthcare provider. Its founders identified a growing market, entered it quickly, and captured market share. The problem is that once it established demand, it had very little to differentiate itself from similar platforms offered by existing healthcare providers.

Basically, Teladoc did all the hard work in establishing telehealth as a category, but it may not end up being the winner in the space, or perhaps even a major player.

2. Forgetting That Companies Are Run by People

Would you rather have Satya Nadella or Mark Zuckerberg run your company? Both have had success, but one seems a lot more likely, at least at the moment, to be a stable leader who finds long-term success.

At least with that comparison, there are reasons to believe in both CEOs. In other cases, companies have unproven leaders or bosses with questionable track records. When you evaluate a company, you need to look at management. A brilliant founder may not be an effective operator and someone with ingenious ideas may prove really bad at sales, managing people, and other operational tasks.

Good ideas fail more often when they have bad management. Strong leadership does not guarantee success but bad leadership makes it a lot less likely.

3. Trying to Beat the Market Quickly

Microsoft (MSFT) – Get Free Report finished 2022 about 28% down. There’s no real reason for that as nothing changed about the company’s long-term prospects. People still use Windows, Offices, and Teams while the cloud remains a growing business and the company has only gotten stronger in videogames.