[freeper12]

I've never bought the gold arguement before...but for the sake of argument, if someone wanted to park some money in gold, how do you do this best? buying shares in a mining company?

[fogarty]

The first thing people should focus on is getting out of debt. For a family, it is important to get out of debt (including mortgage) in any type of environment - but especially so in a deflationary environment. My wife and I are making extra payments every quarter so our 30 year mortgage is closer to a 20 year.

Gold and silver coins can be bought from Kitco or any of the major bullion sellers. It is easy enough to buy silver 1 ounce and gold 1 ounce Eagles or Maples. Gold stocks can be decent but just like regular stocks they are volatile. That's why I stick to the basics: get out of all debt and get some physical gold and silver.

[austrianecon]

No, buy gold. You can purchase gold coins and hold them. I typically have between 2-4% of my investments in gold coins. Look at it this way: an ounce of gold in 1940 (roughly) could buy you a brand new men's suit. Today, an ounce of gold could buy you.......a brand new men's suit. However, $30 (which is what a suit went for approx. in 1940) could barely buy you a pant leg today.

[Deuce]

The bid offer spread on gold coins eliminates them as the best way to participate in the potential gold revaluation, IMO. Check out the,World Gold Council to learn why, how, and where in a well laid out explaination.