Safe Haven

DionysusToast

DionysusToast

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I was wondering what you'd consider to be a 'safe haven' nowadays. I have some dollars. Quite a few dollars and am a tad concerned that they are soon going to be worthless. So - I'm looking for a safe haven.

Cash - well that seems screwed. The dollar seems risky, the Euro appears to be in a bit of trouble too and central banks seem to have revealed that they are totally incompetent. I guess I could move into Swiss Franc but then my luck would see the dollar bouncing back and me taking a hit anyway.

Govt bonds - Of course, there's all sorts of government bonds that profess to be safe havens but seeing as governments themselves could be facing bankruptcy, it's not that comforting any more.

Gold - Whilst the physical commodity is fine, I don't have anywhere to store the gold securely - I could buy a gold fund but let's face it - 'electronic' gold is going to be the next financial embarrassment - Merril have already been sued for charging people storage fees for Gold that they'd sold but didn't actually own. My opinion is that much more gold has been sold electronically than actually is held by the sellers.

Stocks – not that bad to be honest, especially exporters and companies in industries where a breakdown of society would be needed to make your investment worthless – energy, agriculture, property (long term) etc.

Property – not so bad but illiquid and to be honest I have 2 houses and don’t want any more.

I’m obviously missing a lot – what do you guys consider as safe places for your ‘stored value’ ?

DT
 
Carbon Credits, and associated "Commodities"
Carbon Credits can be traded privately, over the counter (OTC through a broker), or on the spot markets like any stock. The largest spot market for carbon credits is the European Climate Exchange (ECX), followed by the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) in the US.
 
Yeah and look at Venezuela, the government ceased land and told the people "go plant food on it"

Big corporations don't take too well to govs. trying to assist folks, some companies bought up all the frsh milk supply just to make the gov. look bad with people queing for milk.

I suppose gold n silver holding actual physical will be ok in case of global collapse, anything paper, just becomes bog roll in them times.

:)

Well, just some thoughts !
 
Not sure what timeframe you are looking at, but seeing as we aren't likely to see the end of the world I'd be looking at:

(farming) Land - there is always going to be increased need for for food - and so good quality land is likely to hold or increase in value.

Silver - much better long term than gold imo - it's used increasingly in medical technologies and with richer older populations that can only mean more demand for it.
 
DionysusToast said:
I’m obviously missing a lot – what do you guys consider as safe places for your ‘stored value’ ?
Click to expand...
Given your comments DT, by 'safe' I assume you mean being devoid of as much risk as possible? Over the years I've noticed that zero risk - along with no knowledge or skill on the part of the investor - tends to mean limited or zero return! Premium bonds fits this bill pretty well. Something I would consider as being fairly safe would be the art market. However, you have to buy the right stuff which requires skill / knowledge. There's the additional problem that once you take delivery, you have to keep it and insure it etc. You could get around this by offering it on a long term loan to a gallery or museum, so its security then becomes their problem. Wine might be a better alternative as not so much skill or knowledge is required in the buying - but you do have to keep it well. The 2009 vintage is, apparently, destined to be the best since 2005. If you buy 'en primeur' now, you're certain of getting your money back in 15-20 years, along with a decent profit on top. Probably! You'll get change out of £12,500 for a case of this stuff: Lafite, 1st Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Bordeaux
Tim.
 
bloody hell tim, you'll have the riff-raff getting it giving the game away like that. at least wait til I have secured mine then start bidding it....
 
Bordeaux, en primeur
current release, 2009, is rated as the "best vintage of a lifetime"

check out Liv-ex for index investing in fine wine
and read my Decanter magazines every month after I'm finished reading them :)



(oh sorry Tim, just noticed your comments)
 
Talking of safehavens. Come across this website safehaven.com nuts on gold ! Anyhow this chart looks like short trade op to test $1000.00 ? Bearish Divergence ?

Loads of Gold speak at the website for those into gold ! So sell gold 1200 odd to test 1K ?

17471_a.png


website http://www.safehaven.com/article/17471/gold-analysis-and-strategy-11th-of-july-2010
 
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Yeah OK cheers Rathcoole, Lets see how it pans out. Not that I follow gold, but just tossed it out like for those who do..

1216 on igindex at the mo.
 
timsk said:
Given your comments DT, by 'safe' I assume you mean being devoid of as much risk as possible? Over the years I've noticed that zero risk - along with no knowledge or skill on the part of the investor - tends to mean limited or zero return! Premium bonds fits this bill pretty well. Something I would consider as being fairly safe would be the art market. However, you have to buy the right stuff which requires skill / knowledge. There's the additional problem that once you take delivery, you have to keep it and insure it etc. You could get around this by offering it on a long term loan to a gallery or museum, so its security then becomes their problem. Wine might be a better alternative as not so much skill or knowledge is required in the buying - but you do have to keep it well. The 2009 vintage is, apparently, destined to be the best since 2005. If you buy 'en primeur' now, you're certain of getting your money back in 15-20 years, along with a decent profit on top. Probably! You'll get change out of £12,500 for a case of this stuff: Lafite, 1st Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, Bordeaux
Tim.
Click to expand...



Fine whiskies can be worth collecting I believe, and fun to collect if you are interested in the subject.

I like the idea of buying art and then letting some museum look after it for you. If you can "save something for the nation", loan it to a museum, they have to worry about it, you can visit it any time you like, and you will get some kudos out of it, maybe even an honour - a "k" perhaps? Sir Dionysius of Toast. Has a certain ring to it.

"Of course, I knew him when he was only sliced white bread you know...".
 
Thanks for the tips this far, although I don't think we've hit a home run yet.

Premium bonds are interesting EXCEPT they are a currency equivalent and currency depreciation is my major concern now. Mind you - they are backed by the govt - which is my other concern.
Farm Land in Illinois - well, I'd just get my pants pulled down on that deal for sure.

It ALMOST makes sense to not save but to run up debt - put 100K down on a 400k flat in London. This way, any currency depreciation/inflation would be my friend, not my enemy...

Shurely I can't be the only one with these concerns here....
 
How about you just go for a balanced portfolio - that way where you lose in one area - you should gain in others?
 
episteme - balanced how ?

Let's say Gold should be part of a balanced portfolio - how do I actually invest in it when it is plain that much more gold is being sold to people than is physically being held ?
 
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