How much AG/AU should one store?

Charlie Mike

Charlie Mike

Sober since 1-7-14 (still a Paranoid Nutjob)
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 1, 2000
Messages
28,365


I keep 2 on me but how much in the safe?
 
As much as you can afford of course. If this is a SHTF/Survival thing, I would suggest you look at junk silver if you can afford the big bags. I do like the 1 oz silver coins. Can't really afford gold with any consistancy.
 
I hold 3.5% of my total investment assets in hard currency (gold and silver). But I'm not a financial planner and I've seen recommendations ranging from 0% to 25%. So don't take my word for it.
 
I'm aiming for 2 pounds of silver and a half pound of gold.
 
That should tide you over for a rainy day. :) Just keep in mind that hard currencies don't produce income. I think of them more as insurance than as investments.
 
I'm planning for the time when FRNs are no longer accepted.
 
That's what insurance is for, all right. :thumbup: In the meantime, don't forget to store up a bunch of FRNs too just in case they don't go stale. ;)
 
My major investments will be in iron...

 
My comments below reflect my personal experience and opinion that no government can be trusted. I am generally agnostic on Gold price. I agree with several of the early posters that it is a diversification issue. I do not trust anything that the US government or its cowed and frightened media print or broadcast.

I have actively and successfully traded gold for more than 40 years. It is not appropriate to discuss price on this forum. I have learned much on BF and some of it from Charlie Mike. I will respond to e-mails.
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"I would suggest you look at junk silver if you can afford the big bags. I do like the 1 oz silver coins." ++++

I like it all, but especially smaller denominations, like junk quarters, halves and Dollars. Silver content is the same and no haggling over numismatic value. Preservation is the goal. Profiting on personal possessions is not a consideration for me.

I defer to the many smart folks on BF. Some smart folks did post after I did, and I edited this to include ammunition (I understand that the many US Laws & Regs affect us all differently). I will also add that I would keep only minimal core monetary metal, firearms and ammunition at my primary residence. Depending on your level of trust, excess should be stored off-premises, and possibly diversified geographically.

My personal anecdotal evidence, opinion and recommendations (do as I say, not as I do):

Personally own no recorded assets.

National Rules for US Citizens change arbitrarily and often. Do not trust government, Banks, Brokerage Houses or any US Regulator (SEC, CFTC, SPIC, etc...).

MF Global, Senator Corzine, and the Obama appointed (Ex-Goldman) CFTC chairman broke 30 year rules to steal $83.75 from my personal MF Global account 3 years ago (do not believe any government assertions about safety of property). Contrary to the lies they tell, I never got my $83.75 back. This is not opinion. It is documented provable fact. Mods can Delete.

When my mother left Lithuania in 1917, her family traded a small diamond for a loaf of bread; small denomination silver or ammunition appears to be indicated for daily transactions or barter. There are many on this Forum who would know far better than I ever hope to.

I visited some of my extensive family offshore (several scattered countries) in 1950. For three months, I had personal experience with the Black Market (Hand Payments), and Exchange Controls and how they impact the moral fiber of society. You never want to experience this.

Mike H.
 
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As long as your debts are paid, ample gun and ammunition stored, food, and water I think the sky is the limit. The Fed has shown that it will do as it sees fit when it sees fit. I personally do not allow criminals access to my finances. That being said I have about 25K in Silver and the rest in Gold. My vehicles and home and property are paid for. I think all of those things should come before large gold and silver acquisition. JMO
 
If the real SH*7 and the fan get together? precious metals will be good to have but don't for get about ammunition. It will increase in value and help you to get dinner.
 
Debts are paid. No guns/ammunition until my defense attorney gets my felony off my record.
 
I like silver since it costs a lot less per ounce and is used for manufacturing and hence consumed. I do consider present value, but for the most part, I assume a fixed sort of number like $20/ounce and try to accumulate silver dollars a roll (20) at a time. I have no set objectives other than to continue my hoarding ways. :D
 
Gold has little intrinsic value. Much like paper fiat currencies, it has value only because a lot of people think it does, and people can change their minds about that quite suddenly. I suggest investing in things that do have intrinsic value, such as tools, skills, and materials.
 
Gold also has a history of being banned from private ownership. Becoming contraband. I played the silver market some years ago and made out quite well by acting contrary to the market price rise and fall. When otehrs were selling, I increased my buying. When others were buying on a rise, I slowed my buying. I figured the average price of my holding, averaging down the cost when prices dropped, continued to buy incrementally on a rise, switching to numismatic opportunities. But one has to watch the market closely and recognize trends, set limits and be willing to sit on inventory to wait out volitility.

As for holding for TEOTWAWKI? Meh. To each his own though.
 
Cougar Allen said:
Gold has little intrinsic value. Much like paper fiat currencies, it has value only because a lot of people think it does, and people can change their minds about that quite suddenly. I suggest investing in things that do have intrinsic value, such as tools, skills, and materials.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. I prefer to invest (if you want to call it that) in things that will - or at least can - serve some function other than as trade/sale fodder. Since few things get cheaper (except as a "correction" following an artificially created price spike eg. gun and ammo prices after Sandy Hook) and the supply of many products dries up (due to high demand, rapid consumption, exhaustion of materials, etc.,) there are many items that I would rather buy now when I know my money is worth something, than wait until the future when those items cost much more and my money is worth much less. My goal with all these things is to never get caught unprepared when the supply dries up or prices exceed my ability to afford. If the day comes when a wad of $100s isn't worth anything except for burning or buttwipe, a hammer will still serve to pound nails, a shovel will still dig dirt and a good knife will still cut. A gun can help you hunt for dinner or defend your home as long as you have ammo to feed it.
 
Cougar Allen said:
Gold has little intrinsic value. Much like paper fiat currencies, it has value only because a lot of people think it does, and people can change their minds about that quite suddenly. I suggest investing in things that do have intrinsic value, such as tools, skills, and materials.
Click to expand...

Hand tools, learning how to work on basic electronics (resistors, transistors, soldering cleanly, wire splicing, electrician type knowledge on a basic level is extremely important) is good to know.
 
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