gold, silver, and other commodities. where to even start?

[Cooter]

OK so I’m one of those Americans who has just been putting 6% in a 401k for years and don’t really know anything more than that. Oh did split it up between lower risk and higher risk since I’m 35 years old. So now I’m to the point where I want to be more educated about where my money is going in the 401k, but more importantly start investing in gold, silver, and commodities. I just got off the phone with my 401k fund rep thru Merrill Lynch and there really aren’t any options for me with them do invest in anything, but stock funds. So that means I will have to go outside of my companies 401k and invest. My question is basically where does one even start? There is so much info in the internet it’s hard to know what is right, wrong, and what have you? My overall goal is to just start investing in gold, silver, and other commodities. If that buying actual coins or funds that invest in these things I don’t know. Any advice on just were to start?

Thanks,

 

[Original_Intent]

You can go either route. For silver and gold the overwhelming majority on these boards, myself included, will recommend taking physical possession. I have never traded in commodities, obviously taking physical possession in most cases is not an option (sorry for the bad pun!) unless you own a granary or an oil refinery. Maybe some more experienced commodities traders can give you some tips on that.

 

[dannno]

With the dollar collapsing you might look into investing in international stock funds through your 401k.

One of the main reasons to be in gold right now is to protect against all the dollar inflation. Investing in countries outside the US won't protect against inflation of their currency, but it will help protect against inflation of the dollar.

 

[Original_Intent]

With the dollar collapsing you might look into investing in international stock funds through your 401k.

One of the main reasons to be in gold right now is to protect against all the dollar inflation. Investing in countries outside the US won't protect against inflation of their currency, but it will help protect against inflation of the dollar.

Good advice on the 401K. I moved most of mine overseas before the big DOW collapse, I have about half of it back in the US markets right now, and am satisfied to leave it there for the time being. I expect I will probably shift everything back overseas in a couple of months.

 

[randolphfuller]

A number of mutual funds you should be able to put in 401k concentrat in preious metals or natural resources. All of the large groups have them,Vanguard, Fidelity, USAAetc.