Thoughts on Gold?

[Fermion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Paquette It's a commodity useful as a fluctuating store of value. Doesn't pay dividends or interest, or expand its market and grow.

I bought a bond fund a year ago and it paid me a negative 0.8% return for 2013.

[seraphim]

I tend to avoid gold - a bit too speculative for my taste. I, too, had someone trying to talk me into gold a few years back, spouting how much prices had risen. I tried to explain that meant he had already missed the boat, and should doing the opposite of what the lemmings were doing, but...

[CorporateSoldier]

Wow. Feedback all over the place with this one.

Maybe I will dabble a bit and see how it goes.

[Chuckanut]

If one is worried about economic Armageddon, then I suggest storing non perishable food. You will be able to trade it for all the gold you want.

[sengsational]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut If one is worried about economic Armageddon, then I suggest storing non perishable food. You will be able to trade it for all the gold you want.

I think maybe booze would be better. It actually appreciates with age, and I don't care what's going on in the world...there will always be a large demand for booze.

[Free bird]

I've been dreaming of doubloons & treasure hunting since I've started reading debate er discussion. I've got the urge to watch Goldfinger.

[MRG]

Or silver (physical), for other uses.
MRG

[Gumby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sengsational I think maybe booze would be better. It actually appreciates with age, and I don't care what's going on in the world...there will always be a large demand for booze.

I have always thought that the best commodities to have as trade goods in the event of the apocalypse would be canned food, ammunition, antibiotics, alcohol and cigarettes. Wouldn't have much use for physical gold.

[Birdie Num Nums]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby I have always thought that the best commodities to have as trade goods in the event of the apocalypse would be canned food, ammunition, antibiotics, alcohol and cigarettes. Wouldn't have much use for physical gold.

Oh, but you could carry relatively easily to wherever, or bury for future use (without fear of deterioration), many thousands of dollars worth of gold--which has been a means of financial transactions/trading since forever.

Try that with many thousands of dollars worth of canned food, ammunition, antibiotics, alcohol and cigarettes.

[Fermion]

Wife's grandparents would have died at the Russian border right after WWII while trying to flee to allied occupied Germany if they had not carried a significant amount of gold and silver for bribes. Ammunition would have been near useless, but perhaps booze would have worked. Quite a bit heavier to carry a persuadable amount though.

[sengsational]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdie Num Nums Oh, but you could carry relatively easily to wherever, or bury for future use (without fear of deterioration), many thousands of dollars worth of gold--which has been a means of financial transactions/trading since forever. Try that with many thousands of dollars worth of canned food, ammunition, antibiotics, alcohol and cigarettes.

If I end-up in a situation where all I have is what I can carry, I'm not so sure I'd like to prolong the agony, hehe.

[Birdie Num Nums]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sengsational If I end-up in a situation where all I have is what I can carry, I'm not so sure I'd like to prolong the agony, hehe.

But in that case, when the end comes, you won't be the hero of your life. When my life ends, I wanna be its hero!

[brewer12345]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdie Num Nums Oh, but you could carry relatively easily to wherever, or bury for future use (without fear of deterioration), many thousands of dollars worth of gold--which has been a means of financial transactions/trading since forever. Try that with many thousands of dollars worth of canned food, ammunition, antibiotics, alcohol and cigarettes.

You can bury canned food/MREs, ammo and booze no problem.

[sengsational]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdie Num Nums But in that case, when the end comes, you won't be the hero of your life. When my life ends, I wanna be its hero!

Now that you mention it, I have had thoughts that trying to live by my wits with few resources might be kind of a cool challenge. I never quite identified with Worf and the glory to die in battle, but since I'm sort of a McGyver type, maybe TEOTWAWKI would me kinda fun. Until somebody with a big weapon that didn't need me to fix something showed-up and took my gold, booze and canned goods.

[Refresher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorporateSoldier Wow. Feedback all over the place with this one. Maybe I will dabble a bit and see how it goes.

Both gold and silver have made a nice upward move since this thread began.
May be the start of something big.

[Brooks Saddle]

I tend to think of gold not being an investment. It doesn't have earnings. Gold does not pay interest or dividends. It's price is based on emotional factors not earnings.

Gold I feel is an item of speculation. Nothing more and nothing less.

[clifp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sengsational Now that you mention it, I have had thoughts that trying to live by my wits with few resources might be kind of a cool challenge. I never quite identified with Worf and the glory to die in battle, but since I'm sort of a McGyver type, maybe TEOTWAWKI would me kinda fun. Until somebody with a big weapon that didn't need me to fix something showed-up and took my gold, booze and canned goods.

I don't have many good survival skills although I love the post apocalyptic theme for books, movies and computer games.

I figure if the Zombies, Chinese, Islamist, or Aliens take over. I am going to one of the early casualties and no amount of gold will save me. Perhaps MRE and ammo will postpone my fate for a brief period of time.

So I root for the modern world to continue and I avoid gold.

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clifp I don't have many good survival skills although I love the post apocalyptic theme for books, movies and computer games. I figure if the Zombies, Chinese, Islamist, or Aliens take over. I am going to one of the early casualties and no amount of gold will save me. Perhaps MRE and ammo will postpone my fate for a brief period of time. So I root for the modern world to continue and I avoid gold.

If they don't get you, the asteroid will.

[MRG]

Hope this post is ok, yes you can eat your gold. Not my first choice.

http://www.slate.com/articles/health...eat_gold_.html

MRG

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRG Hope this post is ok, yes you can eat your gold. Not my first choice. The $666 gold-wrapped Douche Burger: Is it safe to eat gold? MRG

Nice article, but I am one of those people that is allergic to gold. Can't wear anything plated, high carat value, etc or I break out with a rash.

On the other hand, DW has made it clear to me she is NOT allergic to gold, silver, precious stones, etc.