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For modern shoppers, cashless payment methods may seem like a convenient and secure option.

But if you want to avoid common risks like credit card fraud and digital systems that are vulnerable to cyberattacks, cash will always be king.(h/t to SHTFPlan.com)

In the U.S. and other economies that have legal tender laws, only cash is recognized as money. While others think that the balance of their bank accounts is money too, that is not quite the case. After all, your bank balance is one step removed from legal money.

All banks must maintain minimum balances of reserves in cash held either in their vaults, which makes up only a very small amount, or in their “reserve accounts” with their local Federal Reserve Bank branch.

These reserve account balances maythen be converted to real money, or cash, at your bank’s discretion. But the total cash in the U.S. economy also includes cash held outside the banking system, such as the money in your wallet or an emergency money cache hidden at home.

The total of bank reserves and the cash held outside the banking system is called the monetary base, but it is different fromthe money supply.

Most of the money supply is made up of bank credit not backed by reserves. When banks make loans, they credit your account, which becomes bank credit money. This money was created by the bank “out of thin air.”

Keep in mind that the banks did not create reserves, only credit money, which is not the same thing.

As of July 2023, the monetary base in the U.S. was $5.5 trillion, while M3 (the total bank credit money) was $20.9 trillion.

This means that if everyone demanded real money or cash, the banks would only be able to honor around one-fourth of all requests. This highlights the fact that the possibility of your bank failing is real, especially since more than 9,000 U.S. banks failed during the Great Depression of the 1930s. What are the risks of electronic payments?

Cash is important because being ableto hold real cash, not just bank balances accessible by check or electronic means, protects you from the potential infrastructure problems linked to an electronic system but also from the sudden seizure of all or some of your money.

As a prepper, cash is also preferable because “real” cash isanonymous and your bank account is not. When disaster strikes, you can still purchase essential goods or services as long as you still have money in your wallet or an emergency cache.

If that cash has been eliminated by some legal means and if you have angered the powers that be for whatever reason, such as opposing them and asking others to oppose them too, all banks can freeze your bank account or eliminate it.

In February 2022,the government of Canada froze the bank accounts of everyone who participated in the Canadian truckers’ general strike, along with those who helped them.

This year,British politician Nigel Farage had his accounts closed for political reasons. He also revealed that no other British bank would serve him. Without the means to use money, Farage said he came very close to emigrating.

Imagine if that had happened to you, especially if you weren’t a prepper. You wouldn’t be able to pay for gas for your car. Without cash, you wouldn’t be able to buy groceries or supplies for your emergency stockpile.

Soon after, theBBCformallyapologized to Farage over a story it ran on the closure of his accounts at NatWest’s private bank Coutts, which the former Brexit Party leader correctly said was due to his political views.

The BBC previously reported that the reason for the closure wasFarage allegedly fell below the financial threshold required to be a customer at Coutts.

The Coutts website advises that its clients should be able to borrow or invest at least one million pounds ($1.28 million) with the bank or hold at least three million pounds in savings.

However,an internal review of the bank account obtained by Farage revealed that the private bank’s wealth reputational risk committee had said his values did not align with the bank’s own.

“We acknowledge that the information we reported – that Coutts’ decision on Mr. Farage’s account did not involve considerations about his political views – turned out not to be accurate and have apologized to Mr. Farage,” said the BBC in the corrections and clarifications section of its website. What are the risks of central bank digital currency?

All of the world’s major central banks are currently devising plans to institute central bank digital currencies (CBDC) that they will control. This is very dangerous for the civil liberties of all citizens across the globe.(Related:British activist threatened with arrest for using CASH in cashless Aldi grocery.)

If this becomes a reality,the government would no longer need to seek the cooperation of the banks to freeze your accounts or “debank” you entirely, as the British banking system did to Farage.

With the push of a button, you could loseaccess to your financial accounts and you wouldn’t be able to buy food or supplies.

No government should beallowed to hold such power, which could easily become a life-and-death issue for a bank holder. Yet despite these serious risks,digital currencies are being promoted as efficient and modern.

Don’t be fooled. This is a civil liberties issue and it must be stopped now if you want to retainyour freedom and privacy.

Watch the video below to learn more about the dangers of a cashless society and central bank digital currency.

This video is from theCommunicate channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories:

Digital prepping: How to protect yourself against cyberattacks.

CASHLESS DOWN UNDER: Australia gears up for CBDC rollout, with major banks banning OTC cash withdrawals.

CASHLESS TYRANNY: EU launches testing of biometric payments from digital wallets.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

Edition.CNN.com

TheGuardian.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
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The ‘£7bn’ government secret

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The '£7bn' government secret

👉 Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈

Who knew what about the Afghan data leak? And could anyone in parliament have done more to help scrutinise the government at the time of the superinjunction? Harriet thinks so.

So in this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet talk about the massive breach, the secret court hearings, and the constitutional chaos it’s unleashed.

Plus – the fallout from the latest Labour rebellion. Four MPs have lost the whip – officially for repeated defiance, but unofficially? A government source called it “persistent knobheadery”.

So is Keir Starmer tightening his grip or losing control? And how does this compare to rebellions of Labour past?

Oh and singer Chesney Hawkes gets an unexpected mention.

Responding to claims in the podcast about whether Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle could have scrutinised the government, a Commons spokesperson said: “As has been made clear, Mr Speaker was himself under a superinjunction, and so would have been under severe legal restrictions regarding speaking about this. He would have had no awareness which organisations or individuals were and were not already aware of this matter.

More on Afghanistan

“The injunction could not constrain proceedings in parliament and between being served with the injunction in September 2023 and the 2024 General Election Mr Speaker granted four UQs on matters relating to Afghan refugees and resettlement schemes.

“Furthermore, as set out in the Justice and Security Act 2013, the Speaker has no powers to refer matters to the Intelligence and Security Committee.”

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World

England through to semi-finals of Women’s Euros after beating Sweden on penalties

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England through to semi-finals of Women's Euros after beating Sweden on penalties

England have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Euros after knocking out Sweden.

The Lionesses won 3-2 on penalties at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, after clawing their way back to take the game into extra-time.

The defending champions had been 2-0 down at half-time after goals from Sweden’s Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius in the quarter-final clash.

England then levelled matters towards the end of normal time. Lucy Bronze delivered the first England goal on 79 minutes, assisted by substitute Chloe Kelly. Two minutes later, Michelle Agyemang followed suit, taking the score to 2-2.

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton (R) celebrates with teammates after the side beat Sweden. Pic: AP
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England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton (R) celebrates with teammates after the side beat Sweden. Pic: AP

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Bronze’s penalty kept England’s hopes alive. Pic: Reuters

After a goalless extra-time, it was time for penalties.

Alessia Russo kicked things off, finding the back of the net for England, before Lauren James, Alex Greenwood, Beth Mead and Grace Clinton had their attempts saved by Sweden’s Jennifer Falk.

The game was sent into sudden death after Falk went face-to-face with England’s Hannah Hampton but sent the ball flying over the crossbar.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Pic: Reuters

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Sweden
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A devastated Sweden. Pic: Reuters

It all came down to Sweden’s seventh penalty after Bronze sensationally scored, with 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg missing the chance to send her team through.

England will next face Italy in the semi-finals in Geneva on Tuesday.

‘That was crazy’

England boss Sarina Wiegman described the action as “one of the hardest games I’ve ever watched”.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Sarina Wiegman after the match. Pic: Reuters

“We could have been out of the game three or four times, when you’re 2-0 at half-time it’s not good,” she said after the match.

“Although we started really bad, at the end it got better, but we didn’t create anything so we had to change shape, and we score two goals – that was crazy.

“We miss a lot [of penalties], and they miss even more. I need to decompress, I think.”

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Hannah Hampton still delivered with one nostril down. Pic: Reuters

Goalkeeper Hampton added that it was “stressful watching” and “stressful playing”.

The 24-year-old, who was left with a bloodied nose in extra-time, said: “Every time I saved one, I was just thinking ‘please put it in, so we have a bit of a cushion!’

“To be honest, I think I was better in the game when I had one nostril than when I was completely fine!”

She said it was the support of the England fans that helped the team push on. She said: “They were definitely behind me and I appreciate all the support.”

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Michelle Agyemang reacts after levelling the game for the Lionesses. Pic: Reuters

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Sweden
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Pic: Reuters

Pressure was on the Lionesses after they won the tournament in 2022.

Their journey in the group stages started with a 2-1 defeat to France, but hopes were lifted after England sailed past the Netherlands and Wales to reach the knockout stages, finishing second in Group D.

Read more from Sky News:
Child dies after coach crashes in Somerset
Sixteen and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in next general election

Sweden on the other hand went into Thursday’s game unbeaten in the tournament so far, having already defeated Germany, Poland and Denmark in the group stages.

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World

Lionesses went from sloppy to celebratory in nerve-shredding euros quarter-final

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Lionesses went from sloppy to celebratory in nerve-shredding euros quarter-final

By the time Hannah Hampton appeared in the news conference, the England goalkeeper was relieved, ecstatic and wanting to share this night far and wide.

So when her phone started ringing with a FaceTime call, she broke off speaking to the media about reaching the Euros semi-finals to answer it.

And then share the call with the room in Zurich.

After such a nerve-shredding night, this was the moment to relax and just savour it all.

Savour how close they came to throwing it all away against Sweden before staging a stirring comeback inspired by Lucy Bronze.

The 33-year-old scored the goal that began the fightback with 11 minutes to go and converted England’s final penalty in the shootout.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Lucy Bronze converted England’s final penalty. Pic: Reuters

“Lucy Bronze is one of a kind,” England manager Sarina Wiegman said. “It’s that resilience, that fight. I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.”

The Lionesses looked down and out, 2-0 down after 25 minutes.

Completely outplayed. A defence run ragged. Just too sloppy.

“We said at half-time we don’t want to go home,” Hampton said. “So it’s up to us to turn the game around.”

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Things were not looking good for England by half-time. Pic: Reuters

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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But the team managed to turn things around. Pic: Reuters

That only came after Wiegman deployed the substitutes the manager calls “finishers”.

They fulfilled their mission.

“Sweden in that moment had to adapt to some different things in the game,” Wiegman said, “before they could, it was 2-2.”

Within seconds of coming on, match-winner Chloe Kelly showed the missing spirit. The spirit that saw her score the Euro 2022 winner.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Sweden
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Pic: Reuters

A creator of two goals in 103 seconds.

A cross headed in with 11 minutes to go by Bronze – the only player still playing from the Euro 2013 group-stage elimination.

It was a lifeline seized on so quickly.

Another cross from Kelly was this time brought down by Beth Mead before Michelle Agyemang.

The timeliest of goals from the teen – a first tournament goal on her third appearance as a sub.

Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Sweden v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 17, 2025 Englan
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Teenager Michelle Agyemang reacts after scoring England’s second goal in normal time. Pic: Reuters

But there would be the anxiousness of extra time to follow, unable to find a breakthrough.

So to the shootout that lasted 14 penalties between them.

Hampton said: “It was stressful watching and playing, I thought every single time when I saved one, ‘Please score and give us a cushion’. I feel so happy and relieved.”

Around Alessia Russo and Kelly scoring there were four England misses before Bronze converted England’s seventh and Sweden missed a fifth.

Read more:
How far has women’s football come since 1972?
Lioness star explains what ‘Proper England’ is

A frenzied 3-2 shootout win was complete.

“I can’t remember anything like this,” said Wiegman, who has only reached finals in her four tournaments with the Netherlands and England.

“I thought three times we were out,” she said.

But instead it’s off to Geneva for the European champions for a semi-final with Italy.

They’ll be hoping it’s less of a struggle, less dramatic – while just glad to have made it there.

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