Source: ForexYard EU Debt Crisis Continues to Fuel Risk Aversion
The euro-zone debt crisis continued to fuel risk aversion in the market place yesterday, as poor news briefly brought the EUR/USD pair below the 1.3100 level. The pair staged a recovery later in the European session, after it was revealed that Greek leaders had begun finalizing a debt swap deal. Today, traders will want to continue monitoring the euro-zone situation, especially as it is becoming clear that Portugal will soon need a bailout to avoid defaulting on its debt.

Gary’s Note: What is the connection between monetary policy, the falling dollar and hope? Jeffrey Tucker explains below in today’s feature article.

When National Public Radio airs a segment on the gold standard, you know that the debate over the quality of money has reached the point where it can no longer be ignored. Another sign came last month when Newt Gingrich, who has never shown the slightest interest in the cause of sound money, suddenly began to talk about restoring the gold standard.

In a couple days, I’ll be heading down to Orlando to attend the 2012 World MoneyShow.
I always enjoy my time at this annual event because it gives me a chance to interact with other investors on a more personal level. I get to hear what they’re thinking about … to discuss the investments they’re using … and to talk more about the challenges and opportunities that they’re facing.
For the third year in a row, I’ll also be sharing some of my big-picture ideas, strategies, and investing ideas in a special workshop.

Here are seven (or so) links at 7AM Eastern.  We will see you later with the daily linkfest.  Good luck out there.

If you are not looking to the turn you are missing out.  (The Reformed Broker)

The financial sector is again trading above book value.  (FT)

Australian retail sales unexpectedly declined in December, the first drop in six months, as consumers spent less at grocers and on dining out in an economy where employment growth stalled last year.

Sales slipped 0.1 percent from a month earlier, when they rose a revised 0.1 percent, the Bureau of Statistics said in Sydney today. The result compares with the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of 26 economists for a 0.2 percent gain.

Kiplinger highlights a salary versus flexibility survey of Gen Y workers with this being the most controversial finding:

About one-third of the respondents, representing college students and young professionals from around the world, said they'd choose more personal freedom, or flexibility, in the workplace over a higher salary.

What does "flexibility" mean in this case? It includes:

For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.

Analysts’ employment expectations were blown out of the water on Friday. NFP produced a stellar report, creating +243k new jobs, pushing the unemployment rate down two ticks to +8.3%. Risk has been quickly applied and added to in the markets. The loonie is a shining example of a growth currency outperforming, especially on the back of its own disappointing employment report. However, beware of the extremely bearish risk factors lurking in the background i.e Euro debt crisis, slowing global growth and Iran nuclear concerns, which remain largely ignored, before wagering it all on risk.

If you’re a fan of savings bonds, then I have some good news for you… The Treasury has increased the TreasuryDirect purchase limit from $5k per bond type (I or EE) per year to $10k. This change offsets the loss of over-the-counter sales of paper savings bonds, effective January 1, 2012.

From the press release that I just received: