*in the form of "ammo"
A caveat up front. I don't know much about finance-I have the requisite 401(k), life insurance, S&P Ira, savings bonds, paid off house, etc. But I do have a gotterdammerung portfolio also, namely, 10,000 rds. of .22 ammo, which will be the wampum of the post-apocalypse (as well as ample quantities of higher caliber stuff as personal stash). Tranches, shorts, CDO's-all well and good. But think about where you'll be when the starving hordes break out of the city. Just a redneck thought.