Personal Finance Expert Dave Ramsey Warns Against Investing in Gold
Gold and silver investments have long been perceived as safe investments, yet personal finance expert Dave Ramsey cautions against investing in precious metals as part of an overall portfolio diversification plan. Instead, he advises diversifying with stocks and bonds.
Consideration should always go into every investment decision, including their history and emotional climate, but allowing fear or greed to influence these choices can lead to poor choices.
It’s not backed by the U.S. dollar
People frequently look to gold as an economic refuge. But this form of investment should only represent part of your overall plan – opting for assets with proven income-generating abilities can provide long-term stability. Consulting a financial adviser will assist in building an diversified portfolio tailored to achieving long-term financial goals.
Gold has long been considered a safe haven, yet its value does not depend on being backed by U.S. dollars; in 1971 the government stopped exchanging dollars for gold. Still, gold can provide protection from inflation.
Physical gold may be difficult to sell, but you have other options for investing in precious metals. Mining companies that produce them offer easier selling opportunities and may provide dividends that generate passive income – unlike physical gold which does not. You could also consider purchasing mutual funds or ETFs that give exposure to this asset class without handling physical gold directly, diversifying your portfolio while protecting savings against inflation.
It’s not a safe haven
Safe haven investments are investments that provide financial protection during times of economic turmoil. Gold is commonly considered one such safe haven investment, often performing well during times of financial crisis; however, long-term it has not proven an optimal option and there may be better ways to diversify your portfolio.
One of the main drawbacks to investing in precious metals is its ineffectiveness as an inflation hedge; over time it has actually lost value versus inflation. Furthermore, precious metals are considered risky investments as you could risk losing money if sold too early.
Investing in precious metals is both time-consuming and expensive, taking up too much of your attention, money, and precious mental space. Instead of using that time productively to pursue other opportunities that could yield greater returns over the long-term, such as other assets that generate longer-term gains like stocks or bonds, investing in precious metals often means selling it before it increases in value above what was paid for it.
It’s not a good investment
Dave Ramsey recently issued an opinion piece advocating against investing in precious metals as a bad financial decision, citing their poor return rates relative to other investments such as stocks or real estate. Unfortunately, however, his arguments rely heavily on myths and misconceptions, failing to account for all the advantages inherent in owning physical gold and silver assets.
Although gold may not match up to what investment textbooks suggest it should in times of inflation, it remains an excellent addition to a diverse portfolio.
Before making a final decision about any type of investment, it’s always prudent to research its history. When it comes to gold investments specifically, do your homework and consult a financial advisor; otherwise you risk flushing away hard-earned dollars down the drain!
It’s not easy to sell
Physical gold buyers – those purchasing coins and bars – depend entirely on its price rising for profits; unlike investors in gold mining companies who can increase production to increase returns.
Physical gold adds additional expenses to an investment portfolio, including transportation and insurance fees, while it doesn’t generate income through dividends or interest earnings.
Due to these reasons, potential investors should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of adding gold to their portfolio. An impartial financial advisor is best equipped to guide this decision process. Furthermore, make sure someone else knows where you have stashed your gold just in case of an emergency – do not bury it under your mattress or in the back of closets – the safest location is at a trusted bullion dealer as this will guarantee fair value for your investment.
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