You don't have to be a doomsday gold bug to figure that some precious metals make sense in your investment portfolio. From everything I hear and read, silver has more upside potential than gold. If you are going to store physical precious metals at home, obviously you need good security. And gold has one advantage - you get more value per ounce if you are concerned with storage space. If space is not an issue, seems like silver is a better choice.

I think the issue with precious metal is that it does not present a good value *right now* and is priced high. If you bought $100k in precious metal right now, you run a higher risk of getting assed out when the economy recovers and prices drop.

Should you *start* investing now in precious metals? Sure. Dollar cost averaging is the principle that you can't reliably time the market, so the best way to invest your funds is to spread the cost of your investments over a long period of time. Your average cost of the investment moves with the market, rather than trying guess where the dips and peaks are.

In any case, I've never been a fan of precious metals as an investment. To me, it feels more like speculation--a bet that global production of the metal underperforms global demand and currency inflation.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Aeteocles,

I like to trade high risk stocks and commodities. I don't have skills or acumen in any other area (keep that in mind when reading or hearing anything from anyone). Due diligence.

Silver has already sailed. Getting in right now would require a degree of skill to reliably make money. You'll be rolling the dice at this point.

Financial advisors tend to be good salesmen. Maybe they're good at what they do - in a conservative way - or maybe they're not. After all, if they are really good at raking in the cash, they wouldn't be working with the public.

I think it's important for you to OWN your home outright. We can play a shell game with interest rates, etc but nothing beats having a place of your own to lay your head at night.

Additionally, EVERYONE I know in the PNW is looking at rural property and the prices are starting to rise. I don't like it when everyone is running in the same direction, chasing the same thing.

Don't get involved in the various "shell games" out there. If you do decide to participate, keep in mind that these things are skills in and of themselves that need to be developed over time.

I say take on some pursuits or hobbies that produce capital. I *like* to study (and trade) the financial markets and plan on doing so until I drop dead. The time and energy invested in this has really paid off. The trick is to look upon it as a long term endeavor and use small amounts to start off with.

That's all I can comment on with any skill or credibility.

V.

1)401K to get all the company match.

2)Max out Roth IRA

3) Max out HSA

4) Max out 401K

5) Three fund portfolio as discussed on the bogleheads website.

6) Dividend funds

Robbie "Just like you own a gun for home defense, you should own silver..." @34:00