Is Physical Gold a Good Investment?

My Wake-Up Call with “Safe” Investments

So, picture this: it’s early 2020. I’m standing in line at the grocery store, wearing a mask that smells like coffee and panic. Toilet paper shelves? Empty. The stock market? Diving like it’s trying to win gold in synchronized swimming. And me? I’m staring at my 401(k) on my phone, watching years of slow, disciplined saving take a nosedive in real-time.

That was the day I started questioning everything I thought I knew about “safe” investments.

Stocks? Volatile.
Bonds? Snoozefest returns.
Crypto? I mean, it’s fun—until it’s not.

That’s when I got curious about something my grandpa used to talk about while cleaning his old coin collection: gold. Not paper gold, not ETFs—physical, hold-it-in-your-hand, Fort Knox-style gold.

Let me walk you through what I found out, what I tried, and whether I think physical gold is actually worth your time and cash.

Why Physical Gold Even Crossed My Mind

I’ve always thought of gold as something pirates hoard or rappers wear. But investment? Not really on my radar.

Then I dug in and read a bunch of articles on Gold Is Money.

Turns out, gold has been real money for thousands of years. And unlike the U.S. dollar, which gets printed faster than TikTok trends fade, gold doesn’t get diluted. There’s a fixed supply. You can’t just click a button and create more of it like crypto or fiat currency. And that matters—especially when inflation is chowing down on your purchasing power like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.

I realized something kind of humbling: I had no actual hedge. My whole portfolio was paper. I had nothing real.

The First Time I Held a Gold Coin

I’ll be honest with you. When I bought my first gold coin, I felt like I was doing something shady. There’s something primal about exchanging hundreds of dollars for something that fits in the palm of your hand.

I went with a 1 oz American Gold Eagle. The thing was stunning—heavy, shiny, kind of regal. Like it had weight in more ways than one. Not gonna lie, I might’ve held it up like Simba in The Lion King just to feel powerful for a second.

There’s this weird sense of control when you own physical gold. Not theoretical. Not digits on a screen. Tangible wealth. It felt like, “Okay, this can’t just vanish overnight because of a CEO’s tweet or some Fed policy.”

The Pros of Owning Physical Gold (a.k.a. Why I Still Keep It)

Let’s get into the juicy part—the upside.

1. It’s Inflation-Resistant (Seriously)

We’ve all seen it. Eggs go from $1.99 to $5.29 and everyone’s acting like that’s normal. Meanwhile, gold tends to hold its value—or even rise—when the dollar weakens. That’s no conspiracy theory, that’s just history doing its thing.

2. Zero Counterparty Risk

Stocks? You need companies to perform. Bonds? You rely on governments not to default. Crypto? You’re trusting code and hype. But gold? No middlemen. No promises. No fluff.

If things ever got real ugly—and I’m not saying they will—it’s comforting to know I could walk into a coin shop and trade gold for what I need. Not ideal, but a solid plan B.

3. Long-Term Track Record

Gold’s like the Tom Brady of assets—been winning for decades, even when folks write it off. It doesn’t generate income like stocks, true. But as a store of value? It’s the real MVP.

The Downsides (Because Nothing’s Perfect, Right?)

Okay, but here’s the deal: gold isn’t some magical get-rich-quick ticket.

1. It Doesn’t Pay You

No dividends. No interest. You’re banking purely on appreciation or preservation of value. So if you need income, gold’s not it.

2. Storage & Security Can Be a Pain

You can’t just toss it in a drawer and call it a day. I started with a small fireproof safe. Now I’ve got part of my stash stored in a private vault. Feels cool—but it’s an extra step, and yes, there are fees.

3. It’s Not Always Liquid

You can sell it quickly—especially in a pinch—but it’s not like clicking “sell” on your brokerage app. You’ve gotta find a reputable dealer or buyer, and they’ll take a cut.

My “Balanced” Take After a Few Years

So, is physical gold a good investment?

Here’s my honest take: it’s not the whole answer—but it should be part of the answer.

I’m not an all-in gold bug. I still have a diverse portfolio—stocks, some real estate, even a little crypto (because I enjoy chaos, apparently). But I also keep a chunk in physical gold.

It’s my insurance policy. My “break glass in case of crazy” fund. The thing that helps me sleep a little better when markets go sideways or inflation spikes.

And I’m not alone. More and more smart folks—especially those north of 45—are rebalancing their portfolios with some shiny metal love. Not because gold’s sexy (spoiler: it’s not), but because it’s steady.

Who Should Think About Owning Physical Gold?

Here’s who I’d recommend it to, based on my own experience:

• People who are tired of paper promises

• Folks with $100K+ in savings who want some real diversification

• Anyone worried about inflation, geopolitical risk, or economic uncertainty

• Those who like the idea of owning something real and valuable

If you’re 25 and looking to 10x your portfolio in 6 months? This ain’t your ticket. But if you’re thinking long-term, and want a little peace of mind baked into your strategy… gold’s worth a serious look.

Final Thoughts (and a Little Gut Check)

I didn’t grow up rich. My dad was a high school coach, and I learned early how to stretch a dollar. But I also learned the value of stability. And that’s what gold brings to the table—it’s not fast, flashy, or futuristic. But it’s real. It’s there. And sometimes, that’s enough.

If you’re sitting on a traditional IRA or 401(k), wondering how much longer this circus can stay on the tracks, maybe it’s time to hold something that’s stood the test of everything.

Gold’s not for everyone. But it was right for me—and maybe, just maybe, it’s right for you too.

Key Takeaways on Investing in Physical Gold

• Physical gold acts as a hedge against inflation and market volatility

• It offers long-term value preservation with zero counterparty risk

• Downsides include lack of income, storage logistics, and liquidity issues

• Best suited for long-term investors focused on wealth preservation

Your Move

Thinking about getting your hands on some real gold? Start small. Buy a coin. Feel the weight. See how it fits with your strategy.

Just don’t wait for another panic at the grocery store to realize your portfolio might be missing something real.

If you’ve got questions or want to hear more about my setup (and the mistakes I made starting out), drop a comment or hit me up. Always happy to talk shop—with real people, not robo-advisors.

Stay grounded. Stay gold.