How much AG/AU should one store?

In a real crisis, gold and silver have little value. Most of the people are trying to survive and have little time and few resources to exchange for future "investments", and those that are fortunate to have the means are well aware that you are in survival mode and will offer little value to a highly motivated seller. It is usually the smaller common household items, like matches, lighters, fuel, ammo, cigarettes, toilet paper, soap, canned food, medicines, etc. that are most valued under those circumstances.

n2s
 
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.
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Pretty much. Gold is only good if you can find a buyer who is willing and able to pay a fair price. Also how do you give change for smaller purchases?

The only truly portable wealth a person can own is their mitts and their mind.

If it doesn't have to be portable I'll take an apple tree over an ounce of gold any day.
 
not2sharp said:
In a real crisis, gold and silver have little value. Most of the people are trying to survive and have little time and few resources to exchange for future "investments", and those that are fortunate to have the means are well aware that you are in survival mode and will offer little value to a highly motivated seller. It is usually the smaller common household items, like matches, lighters, fuel, ammo, cigarettes, toilet paper, soap, canned food, medicines, etc. that are most valued under those circumstances.
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I don't dissagree with you overall, but you really can't generalize. People looking for materials to survive might be trying to acquire things at a farm or even a guarded Walmart. There is too much stuff and coins are the most practical way to establish a value and trade for the items in question. Admittedly, ammunition would be a good form of "coinage".
 
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.
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+1 Develop a positive skill set. Being able to work metal is a good skill to have. But that should include most common metals and alloys i.e.; steel, brass, aluminum, iron, and maybe titanium. If you are concerned with SHTF then learn some pre industrial skills along these lines. I make note of these skills because they seem to fit your interests.
 
I always think of the story that at the height of the California Gold Rush, a single egg was selling for up to $25 dollars each (in today's money) Gold can't be eaten, and a hungry princess will sell all the family jewels for a single meal.

Cash is important, but controlling your own food source, and having a way to protect it, will probably be a better bet. Small garden, flock of chickens, and keeping a supply of staples like dried beans on hand would probably be better, and eating fresh foods will be healthier starting now. Reducing the amounts of stuff that you require from traditional sources like Wal-mart, the grocery store, and the power company today not only saves money, but puts you head and shoulders above everyone else is something bad happens. A couple small solar cells that power a couple lights and a wood stove that you rarely use versus being in a fully electric apartment in the middle of a city during a three day power outage? make up your own mind.

Grizz
 
If trying to survive a post apolytic world, skills would be the most important and having the materials needed to utilize those skills. If you like to grow food, then you need something more than you typical square foot garden. You can take this kind of thing as far as you want to, but in OUR world, electricity is extremely important and being able to produce is would provide some freedom and flexibility to continue to utilize present day technology. Something as simple as charging up the batteries in a rechargable drill or recip saw would be very important as would having back up batteries beyond the one that sometimes is provided with the tool. Again, you can take this as far as you want to in terms of surviving, but it would not likely ever be the same as it is now for a long time.
 
As far as gold and silver goes, keep your options open and acquire things that provide you with flexibility as none of us know what the future holds.
 
Solid gold, silver, or copper knucks would be handy. A useful tool in turbulent times for obvious reasons (paperweight) and you can tear chunks for monetary purposes.
 
Practical Use said:
You cannot eat gold or silver. Thus, perhaps, food, ammo, water, medications - extras of all for trade.
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Yes, HOWEVER,
1. Someone who wants to store PM's isn't going to be talked into cans of food instead.
2. The people who will HAVE the items for trade that you want (I.e. Me) aren't going to be interested in a box of ammo, a bottle of water, or a can of food.
 
The Dude1 said:
...The people who will HAVE the items for trade that you want (I.e. Me) aren't going to be interested in a box of ammo, a bottle of water, or a can of food.
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And what, pray tell, do you have that are more important (thus valuable) in a crisis. What I'd want and need is water, food, fuel, ammo etc. And why would I trade any of that for silver? I'd trade stuff on the list for other stuff on the list I needed or was short.
 
not2sharp said:
In a real crisis, gold and silver have little value. Most of the people are trying to survive and have little time and few resources to exchange for future "investments", and those that are fortunate to have the means are well aware that you are in survival mode and will offer little value to a highly motivated seller. It is usually the smaller common household items, like matches, lighters, fuel, ammo, cigarettes, toilet paper, soap, canned food, medicines, etc. that are most valued under those circumstances.

n2s
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Thank you... I argue this all day with people.

I can't afford gold or silver so I buy lead.
 
You have a Philosopher's Stone?
 
leghog said:
And what, pray tell, do you have that are more important (thus valuable) in a crisis. What I'd want and need is water, food, fuel, ammo etc. And why would I trade any of that for silver? I'd trade stuff on the list for other stuff on the list I needed or was short.
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You may not as you don't have an abundance. I have a secluded 11 acre property, clean well water, septic system, 8- 10 YEARS worth of food. My house is powered 90% by solar 10% by propane. I've got over 20k rounds. Stocked up on meds. Two diesel trucks and a 500g diesel storage tank on my property. I'm MORE than prepared with firearms. I also have an aquaponics system in my greenhouse. There are more people like me than you think.
Do I now qualify. The old "you can't eat gold and silver" is a short sighted statement.
Unless you are set up like me, you will eventually be searching for someone like me to barter with. I want gold or silver
 
Grouch said:
When the SHTF, you might.
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No. I won't. The masses, however, will want what I have an abundance of. So many think that it's going to become so kind of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome thing. It might. What do I know? I do know that during the first few months there will be hundreds of thousands of dead, likely from looting and rioting in big cities.
Each person should prepare for their circumstances. Being in New York City probably won't be survivable and canned food weighs a lot.
I'm not preaching gold and silver above all else. You need a balance, but anything is better than nothing. I'd rather have a gold coin that $1300 in paper....
 
not2sharp said:
In a real crisis, gold and silver have little value. Most of the people are trying to survive and have little time and few resources to exchange for future "investments", and those that are fortunate to have the means are well aware that you are in survival mode and will offer little value to a highly motivated seller. It is usually the smaller common household items, like matches, lighters, fuel, ammo, cigarettes, toilet paper, soap, canned food, medicines, etc. that are most valued under those circumstances.
n2s
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Yep. Only in the early stages of most SHTF scenerios will gold and silver be useful as a medium of exchange. After that, everyday necessities/comforts and essential skills/tools will be the most valuable.
 
Just before and after the year 2000,Silver was around $7 or so and Gold was around $300.No adds in the media but I thought it was rather inexpensive.I bailed out close to the market high. On the sidelines watching nowadays. Honestly when shtf everyone suffers regardless.
 
The Dude1 said:
You may not as you don't have an abundance. I have a secluded 11 acre property, clean well water, septic system, 8- 10 YEARS worth of food. My house is powered 90% by solar 10% by propane. I've got over 20k rounds. Stocked up on meds. Two diesel trucks and a 500g diesel storage tank on my property. I'm MORE than prepared with firearms. I also have an aquaponics system in my greenhouse. There are more people like me than you think.
Do I now qualify. The old "you can't eat gold and silver" is a short sighted statement.
Unless you are set up like me, you will eventually be searching for someone like me to barter with. I want gold or silver
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Like I said, why would you want gold and silver. It'll do you no good. When it gets that bad, and one day it will, gold and silver will mean absolutely nothing. Better ways to prepare.

An oracle from Zephaniah-

The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

“I will utterly sweep away everything
from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.
"I will sweep away man and beast;
I will sweep away the birds of the heavens
and the fish of the sea,
and the rubble with the wicked.
I will cut off mankind
from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.
“I will stretch out my hand against Judah
and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal
and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests,
those who bow down on the roofs
to the host of the heavens,
those who bow down and swear to the Lord
and yet swear by Milcom,
those who have turned back from following the Lord,
who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him.”
Be silent before the Lord God!
For the day of the Lord is near;
the Lord has prepared a sacrifice
and consecrated his guests.
And on the day of the Lord's sacrifice—
“I will punish the officials and the king's sons
and all who array themselves in foreign attire.
On that day I will punish
everyone who leaps over the threshold,
and those who fill their master's house
with violence and fraud.
“On that day,” declares the Lord,
“a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate,
a wail from the Second Quarter,
a loud crash from the hills.
Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar!
For all the traders are no more;
all who weigh out silver are cut off.
At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the men
who are complacent,
those who say in their hearts,
‘The Lord will not do good,
nor will he do ill.’
Their goods shall be plundered,
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they shall not drink wine from them.”
The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the mighty man cries aloud there.
A day of wrath is that day,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.
I will bring distress on mankind,
so that they shall walk like the blind,
because they have sinned against the Lord;
their blood shall be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them
on the day of the wrath of the Lord.
In the fire of his jealousy,
all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth. - Zephaniah 1 (English Standard Version).
 
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I think I'll look into an underwater house.... Even in the worst of times there will be those who are programmed to covet gold and silver. Just not a lot. Hasn't gold dropped in price recently?
 
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