If not gold, what?

[jajbellsouthnet]

This is a bit removed from my original :US Dollar....RIP post so I will start another.
One of the responses to my original RIP post thought that my move to gold might not be the best choice of options, so I am asking this question: If not gold, then what?
I am out of debt. I have a grove, an orchard and a large garden and the tractor/implements to maintain same. I have
a windmill, a diesel backup generator and solar panels. Have canning/drying supplies and medical equipment/supplies. Also well stocked with guns, reloading equipment/supplies and communications gear.
I am not listing this stuff to boast. This is the stuff I moved my savings into when I began to distrust the dollar several years ago. I'm not rich or even well-to-do. I got my stuff the hard way. Always paid cash and always lived on less than I made. Did that for a lifetime.
Soooo....the only place I can think of to put my financial future in is gold. I don't trust the banks anymore or the government that regulates them. In any case, the interest on deposits is a money-loser. I am open to opinions/ideas of investments other than gold, Please don't suggest land. I might be able to afford more, but not the taxes they demand.

[johnjmw]

IN my opinion,,, which is not worth much. *Gold and silver and some gems could be good, but not until the financial systems restablize. *If the real SHTF money of any sort will be worth nothing. *Barter items for trade will be whats needed. *Once the Currency system restablizes then then the gold and such will once again have a real value. *
* * If Society really collapses, food of almost any type, and all the supplies to preserve and can it will be worth it's weight in gold. *Past that, knowledge will be very valuable. *How to make, build, improvise, design things needed since they can no longer me bought. *All the basic old style recipes to make day to day things like soap, baking soda, baking power, lye and the list goes on.
Just think of the trade you could have on the ability to make a needed staple.
Oh well, just my two cents.
John

Oh, what about the ability to make or be a supplier of gun powder? Do you have a source for saltpeter or the right nitrates and sulfer.

[jajbellsouthnet]

John,
Your suggestion about valuable knowledge triggered the thought that I had not mentioned one thing that might be really valuable if things get REALLY serious. I have all of the Mother Earth News from no. 1 up to 100 or so when Shuttleworth sold it and they went liberal. Also have every issue of BWH including the "Whole Shebang" stuff. Library includes 30 or so books on self-help and herbal medicine. Lastly, and right to the point you made about what information may be useful post-WTSHTF is Kurt Saxon's (Atlan Formularies) "Poor Man's James Bond" and "Survivor" series. You gotta' have those. Another source of a huge amount of useful information is a huge softbound book titled "Public Works". It is probably out of print by now, but well worth looking for.

[Anon001]

I was listening to the radio one day and they were talking about what would be needed. They used Katrina as an example. But, They were saying you would want things that other people need and are willing to trade or work for, such as winter coats, quilts, as well as all the things John mentioned. Basically, anything someone else would need... In the worst case scenario, it won't be money or metal... it will be precious goods, things needed to sustain life, family, home, etc.

But,... I will also say that I don't see that scenario coming. I know some here do and I sure don't berate them for stockpiling.... I do use common sense. I make sure I have plenty of everything I use, eat, and need. I keep 1 to 2 years of food supplies always. That comes from just old fashioned common sense to the old timers that lived that way... (which I tend to do as well.)

There is nothing wrong with putting your money into something that you may see as valuable such as gold as long a you realize, as John pointed out, that a precious metal is only valuable when there is stability. However, the precious metals can also be very volatile.

Good luck. The main thing is that you are concerned enough to look forward, plan, and take the action that makes you feel at peace. Just don't forget to enjoy life as you make these plans.
Paul

[gump]

This is a bit removed from my original :US Dollar....RIP post so I will start another.
One of the responses to my original RIP post thought that my move to gold might not be the best choice of options, so I am asking this question: If not gold, then what?
I am out of debt. I have a grove, an orchard and a large garden and the tractor/implements to maintain same. I have
a windmill, a diesel backup generator and solar panels. Have canning/drying supplies and medical equipment/supplies. Also well stocked with guns, reloading equipment/supplies and communications gear.
I am not listing this stuff to boast. This is the stuff I moved my savings into when I began to distrust the dollar several years ago. I'm not rich or even well-to-do. I got my stuff the hard way. Always paid cash and always lived on less than I made. Did that for a lifetime.
Soooo....the only place I can think of to put my financial future in is gold. I don't trust the banks anymore or the government that regulates them. In any case, the interest on deposits is a money-loser. I am open to opinions/ideas of investments other than gold, Please don't suggest land. I might be able to afford more, but not the taxes they demand. *

Gold is typically thought of as a SHTF place to hide but I would personally rather be in other commodities to play a non-USD bet. *People use/consume ag commodities, oil, etc. * I can't eat or use gold in my everyday life. At any rate, I wouldn't put all of your eggs in the gold basket.

[Michael32170]

Financial planners have always presented gold as a highly speculative and risky investment. I looked at is as part of my financial base. I purchased it when it was dirt cheap and use it as last resort money.

At these levels, I think it is too risky. My opinion comes from the fact that countries who get in financial trouble start selling gold to pay their bills. That's when gold will drop to new lows.....That's the time to buy.

[Anon001]

At these levels, I think it is too risky. My opinion comes from the fact that countries who get in financial trouble start selling gold to pay their bills. That's when gold will drop to new lows.....That's the time to buy.

Not only that, but when the economy starts to stabilize, the first thing people do is sell the gold and go back to higher yielding investments, plummeting the value of gold and you get stuck with gold that 1/3 of the value you paid. This is the same principle that the other countries use as well, along with individual investors.

Gold does not have a good track record historically... I think it only averages about 4% in good times.

[Joe]

I think a good supplie of fine whiskey and bourbon bottles could become a hot bartering item in a collapse economy situation

next on my list ;)

[JBinKC]

I don't own physical gold but I do admit to owning a few gold stocks because the price of the commodity has been relatively stable and their processing costs have gone down substantially thus likely higher comparable profits.

I also think other commodities are better bets especially if you take the view of an improving economy and reflation due to the recent doubling of the money supply.

If times take it for the worst to the point of near lawlessness all you can do is hope you already have what you need and stay under the radar because I really don't want to give others the idea I have something they might want to have because they will just take it by force.

[johnjmw]

One thing I've considered for a trade/barter item. Canning lids and rings. IF there is a complete crash where is anyone going to get replacement lids and rings and seals from? Jars will be around for a long time but space allowing they would be good too. Many people have the knowledge and space to plant a healthy garden. Once the crops ripen how are they going to store it?
John

[Michael32170]

To choose items for barter, evaluate your daily use of essential items. The things you can't do without are your best barter items.

[Laughter]

johnjmw, I read that canning lids are good only for a year and a person shouldnt use any left over from prior year. Is this true?

[Anon001]

johnjmw, I read that canning lids are good only for a year and a person shouldnt use any left over from prior year. *Is this true?
I don't know about John, but that is not always true. If it will seal, then use it. I have used lids that were 2 and 3 years old with no problem... BUT, you just have to make ceratain you get a good seal with them.

[johnjmw]

I don't know for a fact how long you can keep an unused lid. I know that you should not reuse a lid/band, but if I thought there was a chance I could not get ANY more you bet not only would i stockpile but would also try to reuse them. How they are stored could affect how quickly they dry out and become useless. If your not canning, if there is no power to freeze, then the only way to long term keep them is drying. I've never heard of anyone making tomato sauce out of only dried tomatoes. I have used successfully lids at least 5 years old. They were unused and every jar sealed first time. It was an old family recipe that was hot packed. No boil bath, no pressure canning but it is a very high acid and I have had jars on the shelf for over 2 years staying good
Again, it goes back to the level of disaster. If you cannot get anymore, people will "need them" and will trade well for them in my opinion. How else will you preserve foods for winter?
Again, just my opinion
John

[johnjmw]

Opps, for got to add this. Another short term trade item, if you can part with it. TP. Almost does not matter how long the emergency. People will want their TP till there is not any more left.
John

[TNDadx4]

TP is a good item. There are things that we take for granted that would be high value barter items... feminine products, cloth diapers, coffee, spices, etc.