I've never really been a fan of gold.. it is like a costly stock share.. one is not worth having. and by the time you get enough to make it worthwhile you have to much tied up in it..
besides.. if everything all goes to hell you will have to have the gold in hand as the "market gold" will be a bit hard to find, and I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the ETF, to drop off my share,.. options/futures and stock would have the same problem..
then there is gold.. the stuff you can hold. ,.. ever try to sell it.. buyers must be able to test it. (if they are smart),, and often they will not pay spot, and if everyone is pretty much broke.. who will really buy it?
there are other options,. coins.. and if slabbed are fairly easy to sell,..
and everyone should have some gold coins for that rainy day.. say two months income worth.. if bought when the price was down..
then there is silver..
The gold/silver price ratio is a simple comparison of the price of silver vs. the price of gold. With these two commodities having played a vital role in human commerce (and human culture) for thousands of years, the gold/silver price ratio is arguably our oldest "economic statistic". For most of the last 5,000 years it has averaged approximately 15:1
However, what separates the two metals, and will ultimately lead to a major silver-default is that while gold is conserved, silver is consumed. While gold has industrial uses, it has filled such an important role in commerce (through being the best form of "money") and culture (crafted into jewelry and cultural artifacts) that virtually all the gold ever mined could (theoretically) be re-collected into a single stockpile.
fifty years of grossly under-pricing silver has literally destroyed global stockpiles and inventories. We know from inventory records that total global inventories have collapsed, in just the last 20 years.
in coin or as rounds almost any one can buy or sell it.. and up until recently they could do so on a budget..
I bought most my cull silver in the $5 to $10 range.. and have a few sets of coins that are for long term investment.. in a crash, the collections for all likelihood would lose all numismatic value.. thus long term..
how much to have.. well how long can a total collapse last until coins aren't worth anymore then paper money.. ??
I would honestly say if it gets that bad.. any more then six months income is better spent on lead..
and while both are a good hedge against inflation.. silver is just easier to sell and buy.. and I am not buying it at these prices..