I know people out there who have invested a lot in gold under the belief that in the event of like complete societal collapse or hyperinflation, they could use it for purchasing.

I have the hunch it’s a scam, but I haven’t learned enough monetary theory, business, or economics to understand why.

  • pinball_wizard@lemmy.zip
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    2 days ago

    So gold is inflation-proof?

    Yes, but only to the extent that you can store it, defend it and find a buyer when needed.

    Gold loses value at exactly the rate of the cost of the armed guards you are paying to keep it from being stolen.

    Pay too little, and it takes its value to someone else who is better armed or sneakier.

    And if someone set aside gold for you that you have never seen, no they didn’t.