Reading this thread, I think the responses would be more appropriate in a prepper's forum. Buying metals as an investment is like buying a commercial property storage facility as an investment - but refusing to rent out the units, just to sit on the "investment" waiting for appreciation. Let me be clear. Metals are not investments. There is a difference between speculation in things and investing. At its best, holding metals can be a hedge against a market crash. But such crashes are rare. Its been 90 years since the 1929 market crash and how many people have failed to invest, and, as a result, have failed to grow wealth, since then, due to fear of such an unlikely occurrence. In addition, those who lost the most 90 years ago were those who borrowed money to invest - which is a foolish practice. There are a few who advocate for holding a small % of metals in an otherwise diversified portfolio as a hedge - but no responsible advisor would ever suggest more than 5%, if that much.
To claim that owning a share of a good company is a "ponzi scheme" shows the depth of ignorance about investing. Look at the products and services that you consider vital. Do you have a cell phone with a provider? Is that company a ponzi scheme? And if so, why would you knowingly participate in a crime. In reality, you recognize that it is a service you desire and for which you are willing to pay a price. Because of that, I invest in those companies. So i own shares of Verizon (VZ). Note: I'm NOT making specific stock recommendations but using this as an example. Do I hedge that investment with metals? No, because i think that is ridiculous. Instead, I hedge my Verizon stock with AT&T stock (T) - again, not recommending specific stocks - or stocks at all. If you liked telecom companies because of the dividends, its also easy to buy sector mutual funds like communications funds or telecom funds if you prefer mutual funds to individual stocks. Both have their place.
Do you have a favorite restaurant? Why do you like it and do others seem to like it as well? They are nearly all public companies and all the information you need is easily available online. I happen to like a sandwich shop called Potbelly's - but research shows that it is not profitable, so I haven't bought it. Maybe someday. What about the stores where you shop, or the clothes you like, or some of the services you use? What do your kids buy and why? Most of these are public companies and not "ponzi schemes". When you buy shares of them, you are a part owner of the company, albeit in a very small way. And some shareholders get special deals. When I owned Sturm Ruger decades ago, there was a shareholder discount, When I owned Rawlings even longer ago, there was a discount in their company store and shareholders could be introduced to ballplayers picking up their baseball bats back when they did such things. I don't like to bother athletes, but it is nice for kids.
Most people will never get ahead by collecting a small paycheck working for others. The only way to get ahead and to have any security is to live way below your means and invest every dollar above what you need to survive so you can have a bright future and retire in comfort. I taught myself in the 1960's before it was so easy to do research on the internet. Honestly, I taught myself more about real investing by the time I turned 10 years old than what I see in posts here. I saw my father work himself nearly to death around the clock for peanuts, fixing gas leaks during the day, then running dogs at a race track at night, and then washing floors at a college cafeteria in the early morning hours. Growing up in the Great Depression, he was opposed to real investing without understanding why. I also worked many physical jobs and tutored to put myself through college and grad school but always paid myself first by investing for the future.
The gov't provides incentives to real investing in the form of plans such as 401K, 401a, 403b, 457, and IRAs of several varieties that all defer taxes to a time when tax rates are more favorable to taking distributions. And then when you take distributions in retirement, you can invest your money in non-retirement accounts and the capital gains and dividends receive preferential tax treatment.
We like to look at and hold shiny things. I get that, but very few make money buying items at a high premium and selling them at wholesale - and to suggest that doing so is a rational alternative to investing is irresponsible.
