Nine years ago, the "market economy" (aka Wall Street stocks etc.) were tanking big time. This equated to people losing money they had invested. The argument, even here on RSF, was that it was an economy based on false "fiat" currency that wasn't worth the paper on which it was printed, and that people needed to buy gold, which had a real value that was going up. And go up it did, but mostly because demand increased. That didn't last long. Many who bought gold then actually lost value. Of course, if there's a zombie apocalypse or another crash (hard to say which is more likely), the value of gold will go up again. All it will take is your ability to get it out of wherever you've stashed it
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Bitcoin seems like another one of those speculative adventures. If ya do your research and like the adventure, there's no reason to not go for it. I don't understand the process. Maybe someone who does would comment on how it's worked for him or her. Nope, I don't mean links to sites. Research is easy. Is there anyone who can do some persuading based on personal experience?
Otherwise, same advice now as back then. If you just want to invest for profit, find something that you use or know well. If you want more security, diversify --or find a mutual fund that automatically diversifies. Decide whether to use an agent or work on your own. Take advantage of any retirement options at your job. If you can put aside 20% of your net salary each pay check, starting in your 20s, you'll be well off by the time you're in your 60s. It's an old truism: it's easier to get rich slowly than to get rich quick.
"A man is rich when he has time and freewill. How he chooses to invest both will determine the return on his investment."