Actually, I live in a very small rural town, and i DO leave my doors unlocked, UNLESS I am going on vacation. In the town I live, one can open most any car and move it if need be with no issue (.doors open, keys in them..). It's only the 'out-of-towners' (vacationers) that lock up. That being said, I will also say that if anyone saw a 'stranger' around, they never go un-noticed. Seems we all know who the 'strangers' are. On the other hand, it doesn't pay to let anyone know what you may or may not have in your home, stashed away. The lack of trust of which I speak is placed elsewhere. There are so many "right" opinions when it comes to gold, silver, investments and the like; everyone is right - just ask them! So I don't. Best kept silent. In the present economical 'situation', the 'haves' do not sit well with the 'have nots', and I try to keep that in mind, even with my unlocked door. (Did someone say recently something about the 'nutjob' with his gold having to give over to the vest and the shotgun or something like that? How about a 9mm H&K semi-automatic? What was HE thinking; anyone of mindset to store such items for a "end of the world as we know it" situation would NEVER forget the guns and ammo (Nor the ability to use same!) Have a nice day
The one thing to keep in mind is that this sort of doom and gloom has been an investment industry for a long time. Occasionally, they get something right. I just wanted to point out that Edelson isn't nearly as infallible as he pretends to be. These guys sound very convincing, and can easly scare people into inaction. Bonds probably are overvalued today, but Edelson missed the entire bull market in them. While it is good to listen to all opinions, it is bad to get into the habit of following gurus. I think Edelson's predictions about the future are garbage. He might turn out to be correct, or not, but it won't have anything to do with his infallible proprietary method. If you don't feel equipped for the task of investing, it is better to stay with bank CDs and short term Treasuries until you feel more comfortable. You can also learn a lot by reading the semi-annual and annual report commentaries by some of the better mutual fund companies, even if you don't invest in their funds. Two of the better ones are linked below. The benefit of this is that these guys are actually INVESTING money, not pontificating from their living room. Good Luck. http://www.fpafunds.com/ http://tweedy.com/research/ http://www.wintergreenfund.com/
I'll read them, but my mind automatically thinks of Madoff, or whatever his name is. And a few others I've heard of along the way, like failed annuities.. gosh, if we met on the street, I'm positive you wouldn't think me a negative nell! Sure sounds like it though, huh? I'm pretty optimistic about everything else! Thanks for your insight on the subject of 'gurus', a very good reminder!
No, I don't think you are negative. I just think you are being careful. Madoff is a great example, and even the rich, the famous rich, were fooled. No one does their homework. I do as much as I can but I can't grasp it all either. Sometimes it just seems a whole lot simpler and safer to put it all under your mattress doesn't it? And forget all the other fees, regulations, early withdrawal penalties, IRS 1099 docs you have to fill out.....sheesh!
You nailed it! I like the mattress idea -- everything else is so complicated! Sheesh is right! ..when to hold? and when to fold?.. that's what I hope to figure out.
To a point this may true, but for the past 5-10 years automobile catalytic converters have been getting smaller and Rhodium and Cerium are used to store O2 and reduce oxides of Nitrogen. More sophisticated electronics and internal engine designs do just as much to reduce emissions. There is also a considerable amount of recycling done on automotive catalytic converters and O2 sensors.
Currently: In US markets at the UK/EU close... and after an unexpected CT shut down! Why can't they announce these things beforehand? :rollling: GOLD: $1224.60 -- Low: $1,221.80, High: $1,229.60 SILVER: $17.98 -- Low: $17.90, High: $18.08 Platinum: $1512 -- Low: $1,501, High: $1,533 Palladium: $482 -- Low: $474, High: $488
I hope you at least keep your money in a bank or credit union. Keeping money and gold at home is far more dangerous than the small probability that you will run into another Madoff.
Thank you. Yes, I do use the banking system and s.d. boxes, though I must say, I worry, what if they "lock the doors" and I can't get in to retrieve? A wacko, that's me. A bit of a conspiratorialist (if there is such a word..) No, I don't really like the mattress idea (or the can in freezer method, or some other oddities..) I do however believe in PHYSICAL holdings, as opposed to just a piece of paper saying I own it.. No, the home is not a good idea.. There IS no good idea.. I've done a good bit of research to see what others do. It's all a chance!
P.S. Did I mention that I was a hard-core Y2K enthusiast? Hence the gold and silver and everything else that went along with the hype, including building a self sufficient, on-the-grid or off-the-grid home and moving our business to a rural area. Spent years on it (studying what to do in the event of civil unrest etc..) That all has NOTHING to do with this forum, I recognize, but it warrants mentioning, because 'silver and gold' are 'hold-outs' from Y2K. My late husband was brilliant on all this storage, investing, knowing when to buy and sell, but alas, it did not rub off on me, and now, well, here I am trying to 'learn' some of those things that some folks just have knack for. So if idiocy or naiivete seem to surface, (or just plain stupid questions) well, I'm just trying to do "due diligence" (?) and figure out what to do in this uneasy time.
Interesting declines this AM in futures markets too. Currently: In UK/EU markets for Tuesday 8/24/2010 GOLD: $1219.60 SILVER: $17.96 Platinum: $1503 Palladium: $487 US market opens in approx 50 minutes...
Currently: In US markets for Tuesday 8/24/2010 GOLD: $1214.70 SILVER: $17.83 Platinum: $1496 Palladium: $480