What Amount Would It Take To Get You Out Of Debt?

[missourimary]

I remember discussions in the 80s that investments should be divided four ways:
Gold
Land
Cash
Stocks

Land is still an excellent investment. Those who bought gold prior to it's sudden upswing could more than make back the money on their investment, but the original concept was that gold could always be traded for goods if the dollar failed-however, if the dollar fails, crop land will be more useful than gold. Who will trade goods for gold if they are starving? Food is much more barterable in a failed economy. Stocks and cash both have obvious uses, but are both very questionable in today's economy as well. However, if the markets could turn around, it would be good to have some investments in all four areas.

[ILG]

My view of the upcoming scenario is not one of apocalypse. It is one of intense squeezing. I don't think people are going to be starving, but I think they will be eating differently. I don't think people will be homeless, I think they will be living with grandparents, parents, siblings and children. People still have to live, it is how well they will live that will change IMO.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by missourimary

I remember discussions in the 80s that investments should be divided four ways:
Gold
Land
Cash
Stocks

Land is still an excellent investment. Those who bought gold prior to it's sudden upswing could more than make back the money on their investment, but the original concept was that gold could always be traded for goods if the dollar failed-however, if the dollar fails, crop land will be more useful than gold. Who will trade goods for gold if they are starving? Food is much more barterable in a failed economy. Stocks and cash both have obvious uses, but are both very questionable in today's economy as well. However, if the markets could turn around, it would be good to have some investments in all four areas.

Right. And it is also important when considering the future use of these investments to get them in exchangeable, trusted and recognizable forms. I used to be 90% silver coins. Not a bad investment. But now I generally buy 99.999% pure Silver Eagles.

These are forms in which people can readily trust in their purity, weight etc making trading easier. I have thought about going to my local grocer and talking to him about what he would trade me in dollar value compared to the current spot silver price should I ever need to use them to buy groceries. Getting an agreement now might come in handy later.

For instance... if spot is $50 per ounce and I have an ounce... He's not going to give me full spot... but how much? Then I could bring in silver... trade it for store credit... and feed my family.

I once heard that in times of severe depression a silver dollar could feed a family for a week. Whether those numbers are true I do not know but it is certainly true that I could use it to feed my family better than a dead dollar.

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Right. And it is also important when considering the future use of these investments to get them in exchangeable, trusted and recognizable forms. I used to be 90% silver coins. Not a bad investment. But now I generally buy 99.999% pure Silver Eagles.

These are forms in which people can readily trust in their purity, weight etc making trading easier. I have thought about going to my local grocer and talking to him about what he would trade me in dollar value compared to the current spot silver price should I ever need to use them to buy groceries. Getting an agreement now might come in handy later.

For instance... if spot is $50 per ounce and I have an ounce... He's not going to give me full spot... but how much? Then I could bring in silver... trade it for store credit... and feed my family.

I once heard that in times of severe depression a silver dollar could feed a family for a week. Whether those numbers are true I do not know but it is certainly true that I could use it to feed my family better than a dead dollar.

How much land do you own? Have you considered investing in fruit trees and perennial food plants (which, depending on your location, include kale, basil, wild onions, mints, strawberries, asparagus, grapes, oregano, lambs ear, thyme, sage, and so forth)? What about jars and pectin for home canning to preserve these foods?