What comes after a trillion? Inflation…and lots of it. Just about one year ago, in the May 8, 2008 edition of the Rude Awakening, your editors asked, “What comes after a trillion?” Today we know the answer: two trillion…and then three…and then four.

Markets slip again on weak housing data, economic outlook, Greenspan speaks: what the great contrarian indicator had to say this time, and plenty more…

“We do not want a disclosable event.” Thus spoke former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson to Bank of America CEO, Ken Lewis, last December.

What this leading indicator for gold is telling us right now… Five specific precious metal plays for you to consider…Three gov’t mandates that could force you to make $63,359 and more…

Stock prices are falling even faster than Alan Greenspan’s reputation or Warren’s Buffet’s mystique. Come to think of it, they are all falling at about the same pace. Hmmm…it’s as if they’re all one and the same.

The question facing every investor today, and the one that could wield a very large influence over one’s investment fortunes – is whether deflation or inflation will hold sway during the next couple of years.

Inflation threats are right around the corner. Eric Fry of the Rude Awakening examines 6 ETFs and how to prepare for the “near-certain arrival of inflation.” He says now is the time to be wary of price increases and these ETFs act as an “insurance policy” to hedge against them.

While the market panics about deflation, Eric Fry says forward-looking investors can profit by swimming against the tide. The Inflation-protected Treasury bond ETF (NYSE:TIP) has never been cheaper, meaning a great chance for gains as the government’s mega bailouts feed through to higher prices.

Nations do not purchase their prosperity, says Eric Fry. Since this crisis started last year, the government has thrown around $8 trillion at the problem. But these are banknotes that it has manufactured for itself. And that’s why we may soon face a severe threat from inflation.