Sunday in a sip

Welcome to Sunday in a Sip. It's April 6th, 2025. I love the new beginnings, as the flowering trees start to bloom, and fresh starts are in the air. This is the perfect time to reset, recharge, and redefine your goals. We just finished the First Quarter of the year, and the news this week points to a new beginning. April’s flowers are the sweet pea and daisy, and they symbolize pleasure, good wishes, and thank you. Thank you for your continued support.

So, kick back, relax, and let your mind unwind as we dive into the week’s most intriguing headlines, and more. Let’s sip, reflect, and embrace the new month together.
You can now listen to Sunday in a sip, just click on the link above “Listen online”.

Oh, did you grab your Sunday in a Sip blanket?

Gold Price $3056.10
Oil Price $61.99 per barrel WTI

Well, darlings, gather 'round, and let’s spill the tea on the economy. It’s good news for a change!
The Federal Reserve, our beloved economic soothsayer, is all but batting its lashes at the idea of multiple interest rate cuts in 2025. Yes, you heard right. cuts, not hikes.
Seems inflation’s finally easing off like a tired socialite after Fashion Week, with February’s core inflation slipping to a dainty 3.1% the lowest since April 2021. Even services inflation is catching its breath at a modest 4.1%, the slowest pace since December 2021.

It gets juicier, my sippers because the labor productivity’s rising, wage-driven price pressures are melting away, and investors are practically breaking out the champagne, betting on three delicious rate cuts this year.
If Powell and pals deliver, we could see a boom in housing, private equity deals, and the kind of economic growth that makes Wall Street’s heart flutter.

My sipping friends with rates dropping, they might just drop away. Good to the last drop.

Additionally, manufacturing investment surged 9% in early 2025, offsetting declines in property investment, and industrial production skyrocketed (5.9% year-to-date). However, tariffs and financial market volatility remain concerns.

Oil prices continue go go down and Gold is still high.

Apparel prices are projected to jump 17%, and new cars could cost $4,000 more due to auto tariffs. I will discuss this further later in my talk about tariffs. The average effective U.S. tariff rate has soared to 22.5%, the highest since 1909. However, we haven’t imposed tariffs on many countries since the early 1900s.

Let’s get the tariff news out of the way. First, the top three automobiles sold last year in 2024 were the RAV-4, built in Japan and Canada. The Ford F-150 (remember that one), and you guessed it, Made in America (Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan and the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri), and the Honda CR-V, produced in the United States at Honda’s plants in East Liberty, Ohio, and Greensburg, Indiana. So if the trend continues, new purchases will be autos build in the USA.

Be on the watch for prices of goods the retailer says are impacted by tariffs; those may be selling goods from China. There are enough products stockpiled in anticipation of Liberation Day, so we consumers can continue shopping. However, beware of retailers that will use this to jack up their prices.

Do you know who we import most of our stuff from? Mexico, yes (si senor), $480 billion (15.1% of total U.S. imports). In 2024, the United States imported approximately $509.96 billion worth of goods from Mexico, making it the largest supplier of U.S. imports. The top import from Mexico are Vehicles and Automotive Parts, that are USA companies that moved their plants to Mexico.

Guess what people we import stuff made of plastic, and plastic is made from you guessed it -OIL Last year we imported from China, Plastic made products and Electronics.
The largest import categories were:​

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis doubled down on his feud with Disney this week, proposing legislation to rename Disney World “DeSantis Land.” Critics are calling the move petty, but DeSantis insists it’s about “reclaiming Florida’s identity.” Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel joked, “If DeSantis were a Disney character, he’d be Scar—minus the charm.”

Bipartisanship Hits a Sour Note To foster unity, Congress hosted its first-ever karaoke night this week. Highlights included Senator Bernie Sanders belting Born to Run and Senator Ted Cruz rocking Sweet Home Alabama. The bipartisan event quickly became chaotic when Marjorie Taylor Greene hijacked the mic for an impromptu speech about space lasers. One attendee remarked, “It was less ‘unity’ and more ‘unhinged.’”

From authoritarian plans to karaoke chaos, this week proves that politics is America’s favorite reality show—equal parts drama and comedy. Stay tuned for next week’s episode

Have you been watching White Lotus? The season has captivated audiences with its dark humor, intricate character arcs, and stunning Thai backdrop, continuing its tradition of blending satire with suspense. It has been all over the place with the season's many unresolved storylines, ranging from a mysterious shooting to familial betrayals and tense confrontations. The backdrop of Thailand and the stunning cinematography of the country with the music makes this season a real head-turner, but its coming to an end.

White Lotus is gearing up for the highly anticipated finale of its third season, the final episode, airing this Sunday, will be the longest in the series' history at 90 minutes. Yes you heard it 90 minutes , and it will need it to bring all the craziness together.

Meanwhile, HBO has already renewed the show for a fourth season, which will take place at a vegan resort in Greece. Creator Mike White promises to explore themes of self-righteousness and social currency in a setting that combines plant-based luxury with the series' signature chaos. Familiar characters like Daphne Sullivan and Quinn Mossbacher will return, alongside new faces navigating the resort's eco-conscious utopia.

If you haven’t seen White Lotus, go back and watch the previous season’s episodes, and sip your favorite beverage, because this last episode I think I will need to sip some scotch, and end with a toast.

Let’s talk about Perseverance, Passion, Resilience. This is what GRIT is and here are my tips that will help you get your GRIT on this week.

Channel Your Inner Honey Badger:
Have you heard of the honey badger? A honey badger, also known as a ratel ( Mellivora capensis), is a small, but fiercely independent, member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) known for its tough demeanor, thick skin, and fondness for honey and other food sources like cobra snakes. Well honey badgers don’t care. But it’s not because they’re rude; they’re just too focused on the prize. Next time life throws a curveball, ask yourself, “What would a honey badger do?” (Hint: It would handle it like a badass.) You must watch this funny Youtube video narrated by Randall.

Say Goodbye to Quick Fixes:
We’ve all been there, I know you’re scrolling social media, getting that instant hit of dopamine or grabbing fast food because it’s convenient. But real GRIT means resisting the lure of quick rewards, embracing patience, and staying focused on the bigger picture.

Embrace Failure Like It’s Your Awkward Cousin:
Failure is life’s way of saying, “Hey, you’re learning!” Sure, it feels like a gut punch, but without it, you wouldn’t be half as resilient. Just remember: Fail forward, fail often, and fail in ways that make for great stories at dinner parties.

Stay Consistently Uncomfortable:
Growth happens when you push past your comfort zone. That’s why leg day exists, and why no one can walk properly afterward. Embrace the discomfort. When you do this it means you’re getting stronger.

Why GRIT is the New Superpower:
In a world obsessed with quick fixes and overnight success, GRIT is the slow-brewed, French-pressed elixir of greatness. It’s not flashy or trendy, but it gets the job done. With a steady drip of determination and a sprinkle of humor, you’ll find yourself conquering mountains, one stubborn step at a time. Just like the honey badger digging, getting stung, and eating sweet honey like a badass.

So, the next time you’re faced with a challenge, whether it’s a big project, a marathon, or just Monday, it’s time that you grab yourself a hearty dose of GRIT.

And maybe a strong cup of coffee, or tea with honey. You’ve got this.

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Yes cuddle and help support Sunday in a sip with this beautiful blanket offered in three different sizes. Celebrating Spring 2025. Start your day cozy or end it in comfort with the Spring Blossoms 2025 Plush Blanket—exclusively available in the Sunday in a Sip online store.

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Thank you for letting me be a part of your day today. Embrace the sunrise, chase your dreams, and make today the day you turn possibilities into realities.

Grab your favorite hot beverage and join me in keeping Sunday in a Sip thriving. Your financial support—no matter the amount—fuels the heart and soul of this weekly inspiration. Together, we can lift Sundays to new heights, turning quiet moments into something extraordinary. Every sip, every contribution, makes a difference. Let’s make it happen—together.

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