News From the Control Tower - 5/6/2021

News from the Control Tower: Our weekly curated list of news stories affecting you and your finances.

This week’s reads include:

1.  Cargo Pants and Outdoor Slippers Are Hot, as Americans Return to Stores

"In the past few weeks, pants with buttons and zippers have begun outselling those with drawstrings or elastic waistbands at L.L. Bean Inc."

2.  Lumber is shockingly expensive. Thanks, Obama.

A high-employment, high-demand economy will mean some discomfort as the healing process takes place, but it's what all Americans should want.

                See Also this piece from December 2020:

Disputes Over Softwood Lumber Rage on Following Tariff Reduction

Trump imposed tariffs of 20.8% on Canadian lumber in 2017, and the US Department of Commerce reduced the tariff to 9% in December, 2020.

3. A major chlorine shortage is set to spoil summertime fun in the swimming pool

More supply chain issues: A pandemic swimming pool boom created higher demand for chlorine, then a major chemical plant fire in Louisiana knocked some production offline, resulting in a shortage.

4.  Trading Stock Tips on TikTok, Newbies Are Deeply Invested in Learning

Self-taught and sharing what they’ve found out, a new generation of retail investors is taking the markets — and not memes — seriously.

5. What NFTs Mean for Contemporary Art

Artist Seth Price talks with curator Michelle Kuo about Beeple, collage, finance risk culture, and where immaterial art is taking us in a material world.

Bonus: Belgian farmer accidentally moves French border

A local history enthusiast was walking in the forest when he noticed the stone marking the boundary between the two countries had moved 2.29m (7.5ft).

The Belgian farmer, apparently annoyed by the stone in his tractor's path, had moved it inside French territory.