One problem: When interest rates become a headwind, cash and bonds take a hit too.
Most people aren’t equipped or well-served diving indiscriminately into precious metals or other commodities, although these can provide some protection.
Hey, has anyone noticed that bulk coffee is at the cheapest level in five years?
Prec metals is not like buying real estate, hoping the price will spike and one can sell for a profit. Its purpose is to preserve ones buying power if the excess fed printing triggers inflation. Great story to illustrate this is recently a janitor died in Las Vegas NV. He only had 300 dollars in his checking account but over 3.8 million in gold/silver. In his liftime of work (50+ years) he did not accumulate 3.8 million in take home pay after taxes and living expenses. His metals simply preserved his buying power (the dollar he earned in 1950’s is not the same dollar earned in 2012). In 1980 a dollar brought you one gallon of gas, or 1/4 troy ounce of silver. Today that same 1/4 troy ounce of silver will buy you about 5.75 gallon of gas while the dollar will get you 1/4 gallon of gas.