Heh, heh....I know smokers that don't have the sense to do that.
Gold has its ups and downs like any other commodity. However, to paraphrase the ad, its never been worth nothing, which can’t be said about stocks. Same with land or anything tangible. If the thing in itself has intrinsic worth then it’s a solid investment, assuming you don’t try to get in at the top.
I have some gold and silver, but not under the assumption that it is my savior when TSHTF. I own it to store value and preserve my savings. I started buying gold at $335.00 / oz and silver at $7.23 / oz - ths far, I’m doing quite well.
With that said, I also prep and have no misconceptions about what it will take to survive long-term - beyond a short term ‘bump’ in our society. I invest heavily in ammunition, coffee, tobacco seed, and the like. When TSHTF, I will be able to pick up gold and silver by the wheelbarrow full while scavenging the property of all of those people who thought it would ensure their survival. Within the first year, at least 70% of the population will perish.
Buy alcohol too.
Pat Frank, author of the 1958 atomic thriller “Alas Babylon” as well as a post-nuclear survival handbook, wrote in the latter that “the day may come when a pound of tobacco will be worth more than a pound of gold.”
JMHO, but unopened .22 LR bricks may become as fungible as currency in a one second later scenario. Junk silver would be easier to spend than gold, as well. Just sayin’.
I think gold is unusually unappreciated here as money, but you cannot argue with that statement. It is the source of all value and all trade. Throughout history, though, gold has filled the role pretty well.