Smith1776 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 30, 2024 12:30 pm We are already making tentative plans for another trip in December 2024, but who knows what the country will be like at that point.

With the US clearly indicating that its abandoned Ukraine !!!

I suspect that the paper-gold to physical gold ratio will further increase from recent 122:1 levels. Looks like a big buyer, 100Bn, perhaps Russia, buying 1500 tonnes of physical gold, via Options (expiry settlement in physical gold rather than cash). With current sanctions those trades being applie...

But back to my main point. Looking for a reliable site for the "real" rate of inflation, not the official CPI-U rate (which I would be heartened to hear is actually accurate). An alternative explanation of the CPI not reflecting the true inflation rate is the suppression of purchasing pow...

I don’t accept that we’re using the Ukrainians as cannon fodder, as if they are puppets and have no choice in the matter. Ukrainians feel betrayed by the US, As they should. Where did you read about the nuclear threat, Seajay? I have only read Putin’s veiled threats about using nukes, but only if t...

I don’t accept that we’re using the Ukrainians as cannon fodder, as if they are puppets and have no choice in the matter. Ukrainians feel betrayed by the US, Republicans vetoing aid and past limitations that restricted Ukraine to having to fight with one arm tied behind its back signifying more a c...

Even with just stocks and gold I don't see any issues with cash flows. Sell some of whichever is the most-up (above target % weighting) at the time. Use/have a credit card and that can cover a modest sized emergency, above that and its just a case of selling some shares or gold (T+2 "withdrawal...

A concern IMO is that of the 120+ paper to gold ratio https://usdebtclock.org/gold-precious-metals.html In any situation when there are 120 claims on paper to each single item (ounce of gold) there is a risk of a gold-rush, panicked rush to have paper gold delivered as physical gold and where there ...

Spot the difference between 10 year Treasury and a 50/50 STT/LTT barbell https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/backtest-asset-class-allocation?s=y&sl=24hdbWlW5b93xL88ujgb6z Near-as ... the same. As might a ladder of 1, 2, 3 ... 19, 20 year bonds similarly compare. A conservative 33/67 stock/bond p...

Thank you for your response, Sophie. I would be interested in your thoughts about the political factors, but I understand why you might not want to elaborate. At one time, not sure if it still holds, Australia prepared for a currency run such that all of the legislation to lock gold within the coun...

Hi Sophie. I don't like lending to someone who gets to set/revise the rules/terms/conditions. Opted to shift 'bond' risk (which for me includes 'cash' (short term bonds)), over to the stock side as per Larry S. advice. Would rather hold cold/hard cash and some stocks rather than bonds or having cash...

Still (off-topic to avoid starting yet more threads) I am more and more convinced to give up on allocated storage and divide my gold between physically held, unallocated at PM and the ETFs. Giving up between 0.3% up to 1.15% yearly for storing gold I won't ever see anyway (not to mention the hassle...

I think that’s funny that I wrote “holding the hold” in a previous post. Sounds poetic but of course I meant to write gold . On a number of occasions I've typed god instead of gold! Some I guess have equal contempt with whether another holds in-god-we-trust or in-gold-we-trust. I like your Disney s...

I dunno why they dont raise taxes or cut spending Our government is captured by special interests who want short term bennies and who don't care about the LT survivability of the United States. With the internet shifting things around in real time, those voted in are more interested in how they're ...

And swap for what? If you’re asking what I would swap the gold ETFs for, suggesting I wouldn’t be able to take delivery, well that’s definitely a risk, and the reason I went all physical. ETFs are convenient, but it doesn’t feel the same as holding the hold. If you’re asking what asset I would aban...

I don't think doing abortions in the 9th month is OK at all, but think about this: 1. Mother-to-be presents in the emergency department with a severe emergency in the 9th month I specifically referred to elective abortions in the ninth month. If the health of the mother is at stake, that should be ...

There’s a lot in seajay’s post. It’ll be interesting to see what happens if & when dedollarization makes significant headway. I haven’t rebalanced out of gold and I occasionally add, always physical,always 1-ounce coins. Sometimes I feel the urge to move back into something more easily tradeabl...

Diversify your gold, third in-hand, third in a remote (Bullion)vault , third in a form that can be easily converted to bitcoin ( Paxos ) In hand self-insured 0% overheads. BullionVault indicative 0.33% year if held for 5 years (inclusive of buy/sell and insurance). Paxos somewhat similar overheads. ...

Judaism pre dates Islam - that dispersed the Jews all around the world, with a sizeable number in Germany - who during WW2 persecuted them and post WW2 America offered them the return of their former sacred lands. Many fled the German persecution during the war years to their sacred land such that t...

Thank you for the insight seajay. It sounds like a difficult environment to save in. I found the NS&I website while googling how to buy UK bonds and the rates look to be quite a bit lower than what I would expect. I am not sure what to compare this service with. It seems like it might be simila...

The 'state' is just another name for the biggest/strongest gang in town. Make money from the likes of gambling (betting duties) and drugs (alcohol, cigarettes taxation), collect their protection payments (taxes) or otherwise individuals risk harm (imprisonment). They have their heavies (Police/Army)...

In the UK its easier to buy short term treasury's (Gilts) than T-Bills. Can be expensive for smaller amounts though, the larger the amount the closer you get to the bond market and the lower the cost. Our TIPS (Index Linked Gilts) exempt price appreciation taxation, interest is taxed, so generally l...

For most people it’s just not worth the money though in my opinion. Apple laptops are inexpensive, you can often pick them up in local cafe's for next to nothing ... providing you can run quick enough. Joking aside, here in the UK and shoplifting has spiked sharply, there's so much of it going on t...

I mean come on, the Cold War’s been over for 30 years. Why do we still have troops stationed in Germany, etc ? It’s ridiculous. We have enough nuclear missiles in submarines to blow up plenty of cities. NATO is just another big-government racket. Anyone who wasn’t a NATO apologist would clearly see...