Gold and silver, Investments Options

[mirocu]

If anyone is interested in this I would suggest getting the real, physical stuff (and from a solid, reputable dealer) as opposed to paper gold or silver as that at the end of the day is just that; paper.


I also thought we could use this thread to talk about investments in general. What do you feel is the best one?



This post has been edited by mirocu: Feb 26 2018, 07:44 PM

[Grits]

I am not fully awake yet and from the thread title I totally expected a screenshot of Lothran’s ingot stash. This is what happens when you click through from the new posts window.

It seems that coins would be handier if you intend to use them as currency.

[mirocu]

I am not fully awake yet and from the thread title I totally expected a screenshot of Lothran�s ingot stash. This is what happens when you click through from the new posts window.

Well, he does have a collection of gold and silver nuggets...

It seems that coins would be handier if you intend to use them as currency.

That�s how I feel too. Not saying we will get back to handling physical precious metal but on the other hand I don�t trust the bills and coins in my wallet either.

There�s talk about bitcoins but that�s an electronic currency and is therefore subject to direct manipulation by the hands of those who conjured them up. Everything can be manipulated but nothing more easily than electronic currency.

This post has been edited by mirocu: Feb 26 2018, 07:45 PM

[ghastley]

If the games are anything to go by, you'd rather have weapons and armor than gold.

The only thing currency has going for it is that all merchants use it, and it's that agreement on a common standard that's the important factor. Precious metals were that standard at one point, mainly for the high value to weight ratio. Since the games let you carry unrealistic amounts of armor, they're better units of value.

Now spell scrolls would be even better, if only more merchants would take them.

[Acadian]

Historically, gold has held its value well. For thousands of years, an ounce of gold has been able to purchase (on average) three hundred loaves of bread or a stylish suit of men’s clothes. So as an investment, it has its own unique niche that may fit into your portfolio from a diversification perspective. During uncertain times, the value of gold does indeed tend to rise.

Don’t confuse uncertain times with a catastrophe, massive crash of markets, post-apocalyptic scenario or the like. Then you are talking anarchy, empty stores, roving armed gangs anxious to take your stuff. If you show up at the local grocery store with a pocket full of gold coins, the store will be empty from looting, and the looters will beat you up and steal your gold.

For such a scenario, you need the real things required for survival: food, shelter, water, medical supplies, etc. You also need the weaponry and physical ability (read youth/hardiness) to survive in austere conditions and protect what is yours. This type of scenario may be survivable for well-prepared younger folks in rural or semi-rural areas. I am old and live in a moderate sized city however – so such a scenario is simply not survivable for me. Age is not completely devoid of perks, however. With more years behind than ahead of me, I’m prepared to check out at any time, content that I’ve had a wonderful life.

[mirocu]

For such a scenario, you need the real things required for survival: food, shelter, water, medical supplies, etc. You also need the weaponry and physical ability (read youth/hardiness) to survive in austere conditions and protect what is yours.

Once again Acadian proves his wisdom

Indeed, those things hold the very true value since gold can neither feed or protect you directly. Only food and loaded guns can. Youth and cleverness also help, I guess.



This post has been edited by mirocu: Feb 25 2018, 09:18 PM

[haute ecole rider]

Acadian has a very strong point there.

My grandmother always believed the best investment is real estate. If you own a piece of property, theoretically you can grow your own food and support yourself on it. But let me take this one step further . . .

In arid regions like the American West, Africa, and much of northern Asia, water is key to economics. Even in areas like subtropical zones, clean drinking water is essential to survival. Hence in more civilized areas, water rights underlie the value of real estate. The most expansive ranch is worthless if if has no reliable access to water. Wars have been fought over access to water. Countries have risen and fallen because of access to water. And the kind of water we need to survive is disappearing. Fast.

Without water, it doesn't matter if you have gold and silver bullion in the basement. You won't be around to benefit from the shiny stuff.

[ghastley]

Well, that's very much dictated by supply and demand. The Dutch are making more land, and doing it by getting rid of the water.

The Californians would like the water right now. Maybe they'd trade land for it?

[mirocu]

Water is an important issue of course and it�s one of my concerns about our little place in the woods. We have our own well but the pump is starting to age and my dad and I have plans to replace it and also rebuild it so it�s not in a cement hole but in a shed sort of. Problem is, everything costs a lot of money and we�re doing so many things at once now because of necessity.



This post has been edited by mirocu: Feb 26 2018, 07:41 PM

[mirocu]

Top 17 reasons to own gold



This post has been edited by mirocu: Feb 25 2018, 09:18 PM

[mirocu]

"Eventually, paper money returns to its intrinsic value; zero"


-Voltaire



I figured I�d put this quote here instead the quote thread because of the content



This post has been edited by mirocu: Feb 25 2018, 09:19 PM

[mirocu]

The hardest thing when buying physical gold and silver is not to get fakes. Like I said I buy from two reputable dealers and that´s really all I can do. All tests I can perform involve leaving permanent damage on the bars and coins and it´s just not worth it, especially if they turn out to be real....


Anyway, here´s the reasons I don´t talk about my little hobby with my family.

[mALX]

The hardest thing when buying physical gold and silver is not to get fakes. Like I said I buy from two reputable dealers and that´s really all I can do. All tests I can perform involve leaving permanent damage on the bars and coins and it´s just not worth it, especially if they turn out to be real....


Anyway, here´s the reasons I don´t talk about my little hobby with my family.

*mALX hides shovel and dons "Cloak of Invisibility;" makes secret trip to Mirocu's nest and begins carefully checking floorboards and digging holes*

[mirocu]

*mALX hides shovel and dons "Cloak of Invisibility;" makes secret trip to Mirocu's nest and begins carefully checking floorboards and digging holes*

*mALX should remember that mirocu has an excavator and can thus dig his treasures pretty deep*

[mALX]

*mALX hides shovel and dons "Cloak of Invisibility;" makes secret trip to Mirocu's nest and begins carefully checking floorboards and digging holes*

*mALX should remember that mirocu has an excavator and can thus dig his treasures pretty deep*

*mALX uses Mirocu's 'cavator while he and his parents go to car shows Wednesday nights; digs up recently 'cavated spots...*






This post has been edited by mALX: Sep 14 2015, 04:36 PM

[mirocu]

Just got some silver Canada Owl coins and silver American Eagles, very nice things!


This post has been edited by mirocu: Feb 26 2018, 07:43 PM

[Acadian]

I was chuckling as I read of your new acquisitions. Yes indeed! You need a treasure chest. Then you can bury it in the back yard with the 'cavatator and, you know, make up a treasure map or something, put it in a bottle and toss it out to sea and. . . yo ho ho!

[mirocu]

You need a treasure chest. Then you can bury it in the back yard with the 'cavatator and, you know, make up a treasure map or something, put it in a bottle and toss it out to sea and. . . yo ho ho!

Maybe I´ll do that




Or.... Eh.... Maybe not that last part..

[mALX]

*mALX grabs shovel, books passage to Mirocu's cottage...*

[mirocu]

*mALX grabs shovel, books passage to Mirocu's cottage...*