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Where To Buy Physical Gold For The New Investor

By Andrew Block


Investing in precious metals such as gold, platinum and silver may require that you make a few more decisions than you might find if you were to be buying stocks. Your goals and future investment strategy might dictate the type and quantities of gold that you will purchase. Other aspects of your purchase, such as storage, also should be decided upon before you buy any physical gold since you need to know where to safeguard your investment.

Investing in precious metals such as gold and silver can be thought of as a long term investment that both protects your investment dollars with something real and tangible but also as an investment that is often used to hedge inflation. One aspect of becoming a gold owner that not too many serious investors talk about is the shear thrill of owning some of these valuable metals. Try not to discount the awe factor that you will experience the first time you hold an ingot of gold in your hand or a shiny American Eagle. Human beings have always been attracted to these precious metals and this is one aspect of why they are so valuable to us. Owning even a couple of piece of gold is something on almost every serious investor's bucket list so don't be shy about your desire to own gold.

The physical form of gold that you will purchase will depend upon many factors. Whether you buy gold coins or gold ingots is entirely up to you. After all, when you liquidate these assets you're talking about an apples to apples comparison. Buying both forms is often a good piece of advice. While gold coins might be a little more expensive due to the minting process but you have an easily recognizable and known form of the metal to buy, sell or trade with. Gold ingots or bullion also come in smaller sizes so this might also be an option. Mixing things up and having various forms and weights gives you more flexibility in your investment portfolio.

For instance, let's say that you have a certain amount of money to invest. Buying one large bar of gold might save you some money during your initial purchase. If you hope to liquidate some of that investment to buy some stock or invest in a different precious metal such as silver or platinum, you will be wishing that you had split up your investment or bought a few smaller pieces for such an occasion.

There are many different places where you can buy gold these days. You can check with your local bank or seek out a local business that sells the kind of gold that you're looking for. You can also invest with a gold company that specializes in the sale of gold and precious metals. Try to find a reputable company that you can trust. Prices and the customer service that you will find from one company to the next can vary. You may find that some of these companies won't sell you gold if the amount that you're hoping to invest isn't high enough. This fact is nothing to be offended over. It is simply an economic fact that they must turn a profit and the more money you invest, the easier it is for them to make a profit and provide you with a competitive price.

If you have a smaller investment that you want to put into gold then you can look for a local store that sells gold. The price that you're going to pay might be higher per ounce but it's a good way to begin investing in gold. Alternately, you can search auction sites for certified gold. Be careful and do your homework, though. Investing in gold can be thrilling but avoid the temptation to buy something that looks too good to be true when dealing with faceless names or companies that are unknown.

Where to store your gold is something that you should think of before placing your order. After all, it's a good idea to know where your gold should be shipped as well as have a plan in place to secure your investment once it arrives. Small quantities of gold stored in your home is always an option but the risk becomes higher with larger quantities. Many people choose to store their gold at their local bank in a safe-deposit box. It is secure there and readily available during bank hours. If you want, the gold company that you bought your gold from can store it for you if you choose to open an IRA or retirement account with them. With gold companies becoming more competitive, it is possible to find one that offers a reasonable, flat fee instead of a percentage of the value of your investment dollars. Do your research and you can find some good deals out there on IRA accounts that include segregated storage also.

If you want your gold to be near and dear to your heart, you can choose to store your gold in your house. You should consider talking to your insurance agent about getting your gold investment insured and they can tell you how much that will cost as well as any requirements. Gold stored in a bank safe-deposit box doesn't require insurance and if you merely want to keep a couple of gold piece around the house, insurance might be optional for you but it is always recommended for larger amounts.

There really isn't anything quite as thrilling when it comes to investing as investing in precious metals. While stock and bonds and other forms of investments can be fun to research and make money from, owning gold satisfies an instinctual desire to be wealthy. Buying gold can be serious business but don't forget to enjoy the process. Buy a few pieces of gold and keep them around just for the thrill of it and enjoy learning more about investing in precious metals. It is a fascinating form of investing and one that every human being should experience at least once in their life.




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