With gold at a six-year high, is now the time to invest? What determines the price of gold and what are ways one can invest in this precious metal? We also explore whether gold is an effective inflation hedge and store of value. In this episode you’ll learn: How has gold performed as an investment over different time periods. How gold has outperformed inflation, but has not been a great inflation hedge. What are the challenges to gold being a safe haven How gold's … [Read more...]
260: July Mid Month Update, Asset Allocation Example, Evaluating Municipal Bonds and How To Buy Gold and Cryptocurrencies
In Plus episode 260 for the week of July 19, 2019, we look at stock and bond market performance month-to-date as well as recent economic releases. Using a member as an example, we walk through the tools on Money For the Rest of Us Plus for deciding on a new asset allocation target. We evaluate a Vanguard municipal bond fund and compare it to the overall bond market. Finally, we discuss how to buy and store gold and cryptocurrencies. … [Read more...]
232: Is It Time To Invest In Commodities?
Why investing in commodities such as oil, gold and cocoa beans is challenging. What you need to know before you invest. Photo by J.D. Stein In this episode you’ll learn: Why have oil prices have fallen and what will impact their long-term price trend.How commodity futures work.How cocoa beans were used as currency by the Maya. To learn more about what you need to know to invest in commodity ETFs, check out this guide. Show Notes Doubleline's Gundlach says commodities are … [Read more...]
199: What Kind of Money Is It?
How a bank panic led to the creation of the Federal Reserve, and why having diversified sources of money can protect us in case we have a bank panic today and can't get access to our bank deposits. Photo by Annette Fischer In this episode you’ll learn: How a bank panic and economic crisis in 1907 led to the creation of the U.S. Federal Reserve in 1913.How U.S. currency evolved after the establishment of the Federal Reserve.How currency, bank deposits, gold and Bitcoin … [Read more...]
153 Plus: Evaluating Annuities, Directed Trades and Private Real Estate
This week April 15, 2017 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we help a member analyze whether it is better to take a lump sum payment or an annuity that a former employer is offering. We look at how major retail brokerage firms such as Schwab and Fidelity direct trades to market makers and whether that is a good thing or not. We analyze how an investor might adjust their publicly traded portfolio mix if they own rental real estate. Finally, we try to determine which precious metal is most … [Read more...]
137 Plus: Sequence of Returns Risk, Gold and Solar Impact Investing
This week December 17, 2016 on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at how to mitigate sequence of return risks for retirees and near retirees. We explore the pros and cons of investing in gold through an ETF or physically by owning coins. We also look at my recent investment in Wunder Capital and how I evaluated the risks of solar impact investing. Audio duration: 21:09 … [Read more...]
MNY116 Plus: Gold-backed Currencies, Self-Directed IRAs and Age-Adjusting Portfolios
This week on Money For the Rest of Us Plus we look at whether the ruble and yuan are backed by gold as some claim. Also, what does it mean to be on the gold standard? We also answer a member's question regarding owning gold in a tax-deferred retirement account. Finally, we discuss how to adjust one's allocation as they age or approach a specific event such as the need to pay for college. The episode length is 21 minutes. … [Read more...]
60: Are You Hoarding Or Investing?
What is the difference between hoarding and investing? Photo by J.D. Stein In this episode, you'll learn: The ingenious way many Swedes fund their retirement.What does it mean to invest.What is the social aspect of investing.What is hoarding.Why we need more people to be investors versus hoarders.What is the freedom to roam Show Notes Overview of forests in Sweden Digital Gold by Nathaniel Popper The Power of Gold: The History of an Obsession by Peter … [Read more...]
59: Is Gold Money?
What are the three attributes of money and does gold have them? Photo by Suresh Kumawat In this episode, you'll learn: How to tell if a novel is well written. What is an asset. What is money. How is money a store of value. How is money a medium of exchange. How is money a unit of account. Show Notes Ron Carlson The Unknown Craftsman by Soetsu Yanagi Video of Ron Paul and Ben Bernanke discussing gold starting around the 4 minute mark. The Death of … [Read more...]
MNY049 Plus: Gold Market Internals, Commodity Supercycles and Investment Advice
In this week's Money For the Rest of Us Plus episode, I discuss Current trend and sentiment indicators for gold. My hands on experience buying physical gold. Average returns and lengths for commodity supercycle bull and bears, SEC rulings regarding "newsletter" publishers. The episode length is 16 minutes. … [Read more...]
