Buying Gold without Worry

Consumers often wonder what they should consider when contemplating buying gold.  That’s why so many turn to Merit Financial which has one of the most outstanding reputations among top tier gold dealers.  Buying gold brings many questions to mind.  Does the company have a long history with gold?  Are they well-regarded?  Do they belong to respected organizations?  

Buying gold has traditionally been one of the safest possible investments, especially in uncertain economic times.  With the recent economic downturn, gold prices have soared.  Many unsavory companies try to take advantage of customers during these gold booms.  They often overvalue, over promise and under deliver.  That’s why it is critical when buying gold that the place of purchase is well-known, respected, and engaged in fair business practices. Merit Financial is an industry leader and widely known as the premiere place to purchase gold. 

Committed to adhering to the golden rule, Merit Financial was founded on the principal of treating others the way you want to be treated yourself.  This client-driven ideology has been the driving force behind the company’s success.  The companies open communication policy and transparent business practices are part of the reason customers keep coming back again and again. All employees are trained and re-trained to provide complete customer satisfaction. 

Unlike other complicated investments, buying gold is relatively simple if you buy gold from a trusted source.  Typical investments are based on the current market value and the weight of the gold you are purchasing.  Some customers like the idea of buying gold coins that often have historical significance.  Others prefer to own gold bars because of their precise weight and worth. 

Whatever type of gold one chooses, where you purchase gold is always critical to your satisfaction.  Is the gold insured?  Do they offer free delivery.  Is there a guaranteed buy back price?  Where did the gold come from?  All these questions and more are appropriate for customers to ask representatives at the place of purchase.

Merit Financial has been in the business of selling gold for over 26 years.  In an industry of boom and bust companies, their longstanding history is impressive and a measure of their customer’s satisfaction.  No one lasts 26 years in any industry without having a policy of putting the customer first and consistently delivering on that promise.

Where you purchase gold should be the key decision once you have decided to buy gold as an investment.  Buying from an industry leader with a strong tradition and bright future is a wise financial choice. The staff at Merit Financial routinely consults with anyone considering investing in gold.  They love their products and will do their best to promote them, but first and foremost, they will decide if gold is right for you. Their seasoned veterans will explain the risks and rewards and calm any fears about ordering, delivery, insurance, storage, and reselling.  It’s easy to see why Merit Financial has become the industry leader.

Where Can I Buy Silver?

Where can I buy silver? I need to buy some, immediately. As much as I can afford, in fact. Why, you ask? Have you seriously looked at the price of silver lately? Everything I’ve been reading says that silver is currently really undervalued. An article on Mining.com says that John Embry, who is the chief investment strategist with a company called Sprott Asset Management, thinks that the price of silver will “…go ‘ballistic,’ as demand massively outpaces supply while investor demand builds due to dwindling above-ground sources.”

Okay, I get it. I need to buy some silver, right now. But where can I buy silver? Where can I buy silver where I know I’m getting a great deal, where I can choose between silver bullion bars and silver bullion coins, where I can have the metal shipped to my doorstep for safe keeping in my home safe or have it shipped to a storage vault if that’s the way I choose to go?

I’ve been asking my friends and my retirement and investment advisor, “where can I buy silver?” and everyone is telling me to look online for the best prices, the best options, and the best security when it comes to handling and shipping my silver.

So that’s a start but it still doesn’t answer my question, of where can I buy silver that meets my criteria? I’ve been looking at a lot of different company’s websites, evaluating their silver options, how much of a mark-up they charge, and how long they’ve been around – I feel safer buying from an established company that has good customer reviews.

 

Since I’ve been thinking that I want to buy silver bullion – not coin collectors’ editions, but pure silver bullion – and I’m thinking about a balance between bars and coins, I’ve been looking for a company that can supply me with both.

After all of my research into answering my question of where can I buy silver that’s affordable and from a reputable company, I’ve reached a decision: I’ll be making my silver purchase from a company called Merit Gold. They’ve been around for years, they have a stellar reputation, they offer the silver bullion options that I want, and their pricing mark-up is very reasonable.

Silver and Gold Buying Gift Giving Tips

Even though the season to be jolly has officially come and gone, there are still plenty of other gift giving occasions during the year. For those who believe that is better to give than receive, buying gold and silver for gift giving purposes will provide further muscle behind that message. Fortunately buying gold and silver is not a right reserved for royalty or monarchs, the average Jane or Joe can also get in on the action as long as they know the best way to buy gold with the intention of gifting a love one.

The process of safely buying gold and silver begins with locating a great and trustworthy gold dealer to work with. While there are countless websites that tempt consumers with the words buy gold or buy silver they are not all created equally. Prior to setting any budget for a gold investment individuals need to conduct their own due diligence to find a decent gold dealer. Then, after that the silver and gold buying for gift process can begin.

Budget for Gold Bullion, Silver Coins but Not Jewelry

Most everyone has a piece of jewelry that they treasure, for me it is a gold necklace I inherited and the golden band I have received from my husband. While these pieces of jewelry do hold some monetary worthy  (I personally value them more because of the memories directly linked to each item) the reality is if I were try to sell them I would get the value for the weight of the precious metals, not the ornamentation featured in the work. That is why when it comes to giving precious metals as a gift, bulk is king!

Bulk is not just a popular trend in grocery stores, it is also the smartest way to buy gold or buy silver with intent of gift giving. Gold bullion, gold coins, Silver Eagles and bulk silver coins are the smartest precious metal gift options as when these items are produced and sold by reputable mints (like the United States Mint or the Royal Canadian Mint) the products are stamped for purity, weight and content so consumers know exactly what they are getting for their money. This specific type of gold bullion or silver coins is the way the precious metals are sold in bulk and without any additionally ornamentation the true gold market value will always shine through. 

Buy Small, Dream Big

 No matter if you are buying a wedding, birthday or graduation gift, make sure that they amount you spend is comfortable for your budget. Gold coins and silver bullion are sold in a variety of weights and even though you may want to give someone a 1 oz gold bar as a gift, your generosity needs to stay in synch with your personal budget. Remember while a Gold American Eagle that weighs 1/10 of an ounce may cost as much as a table place setting or two from a registry, gold coins will not only stand out among gifts, but also stand a chance of delivering future returns on the gold investment.

Why Purchase Gold in 2013?

A new year is upon us; we’ve survived the holidays and associated festivities and now we’re starting to look at the year ahead and making our resolutions. One of my resolutions is to be more serious about my retirement planning. One of the things I’ve seriously been considering is whether or not to purchase gold as part of my overall retirement investment plan. But I’m not certain that now is the best time to purchase gold. Therefore, I’ve been doing some research and reading – a lot of both.

Did you know that Barclays, in London, says that they believe that financial factors that affect world markets will not affect gold? In fact, on 1/10/13, Barclays – as quoted in an article on Commodity Online – says that these other factors “…we do not expect to hinder gold in 2013.” (http://www.commodityonline.com/news/gold-price-to-average-$1778oz-in-2013-barclays-52173-3-52174.html) Which means that gold is going remain strong, so that’s one reason I should purchase gold this year.

Another reason I’m thinking that I should purchase gold? According to another article on Commodity Online says that gold will be bullish later in the year (http://www.commodityonline.com/news/why-gold-will-be-bullish-in-later-2013-52133-3-52134.html), which means I should purchase gold now, earlier in the year, if I want the best prices.

As part of my research, I’ve been looking beyond the United States, to understand the world demands for gold. After all, we’re now a global economy and what happens overseas affects gold prices here at home. On The Daily Reckoning, there’s an article that illustrates my point. It talks about how India is currently going through a “gold mania” and that the country is the largest consumer of gold, “…buying nearly a third of production in recent years.” (dailyreckoning.com/indias-gold-mania/) So if I purchase gold now, I pretty much have a ready market for it, should I want to sell it somewhere down the line.

But I’m thinking that I’ll purchase gold as part of a long-term investment strategy. I know that gold has been strong over the years, and that it’s a precious metal that holds its value. Further, I understand that with today’s economic chaos and political instability on a global level, owning a tangible precious metal – instead of paper stocks and bonds – gives me an investment that really is something, not just an idea.

Now I that I’ve decided I will purchase gold in 2013, I need to start the next phase of my research: what type of gold I will buy and where I will purchase gold from.

Secure Your Retirement with Gold bars

When purchasing gold bars, I'm always reminded of Indiana Jones or other wondrous adventurers. For me, purchasing gold bars always feels like a world-class adventure with a rich history. I feel honored to be in the company of the pharaohs and Kings who have come before me and helped create the mystique that surrounds purchasing gold bars.

Once you get beyond the idea of investing in gold with all of its romantic illusions, it's time to “get real” and consider where you should make your purchase. Personally, I would say that where or who you buy your gold from is the most critical aspect of gold buying. It's more than making sure that you are buying from someone who engages in ethical business practices, it's working with a dealer with whom you can form a strong relationship. Ideally, your gold dealer should be knowledgeable and personable enough to act as your advisor. So it needs to be someone you respect and know you can trust. But like a good marriage, if the fundamentals are strong, everything else will ultimately fall into place.

There's one thing every gold investor should make peace with and that is the fact that gold is not the best commodity if you want to make a fast buck. Although gold is notorious for attracting swindlers and hustlers, the fact is that gold is most valuable as a solid long-term investment. Whenever the economic conditions are grim or uncertain, as they have been for the last decade, gold grows in strength. Gold is the ultimate “back to basics” investment strategy. When all else fails, you can count on gold.

Gold can be purchased in a number of ways. Some love their stacks of gold bars while others traffic in coins, mixing the roles of being a collector and acting as an investor. Regardless of what kind of gold you choose to buy, the most important thing to remember is - buyer beware. So thoroughly the vet your gold store and over the long-term, you will be more than pleased with your investment.

Silver Dollars, an American Tradition

America has a strong relationship with the dollar, it is for that reason the United States Mint has produced a variety of the legal tender both in paper gold coin, silver coin and other metal varieties. Over time there were a variety of silver dollar coins in the nation, some featured Presidents others had historic figures, but they were all American silver dollars. 

After the American Revolution, the first organized legal tender process was created by the Coinage Act of 1792. It was that legal maneuver that authorized the production of silver dollars. When it came to mint American silver dollars, the Spanish silver dollar was the inspiration for the design. Eventually two main options (Flowing Hair and Draped Bust ) made the rounds and there are dozens of different varieties of these two silver dollar designs in existence. 

Since those very first official silver dollars were first minted, there have been several other variations of silver dollars. Options include the 1804 silver dollar (minted in 1834), the seated Liberty dollar, Liberty silver dollars, Morgan silver dollars, trade dollars and many more. While all of them are silver dollars of value, some of those silver dollars get their true value from history, not the silver content within. Both coin collecting and investing in silver dollars have a long history in America, so newbies to the tradition are advised to choose a lane, either become a numismatic or a precious metal buyer. 

For those who favor the latter, buying silver proof coins or silver American Eagles are an excellent starting point. The are manufactured and guaranteed by the United States Mint for content, purity and weight. While they may not be the most valuable silver dollars to add to a silver investment portfolio, they are attractive and affordably priced, making it easy to buy silver.

Why Should You Be Buying Gold Bullion?

In a time of political and fiscal unrest – much like is happening on a local, national, and international level right now – buying gold bullion is your best hedge against the increasing chaos in the world.

Long sought for its beauty, its rarity, and its monetary value, gold is a tangible asset sought throughout the world. Unlike stocks, where the value can dramatically decrease based on a projected earnings report or even a market rumor, the value of gold remains fairly steady. If you are looking at buying gold bullion, you are making an investment for your future.

According Bill Bonner, in an article appearing on Forbes.com, “Gold will eventually shock everyone by rising far above $1,900. When the real crisis hits, the crisis coming in the U.S. bond market, gold will be the money that nobody doesn’t want.”

So there you have it: buying gold bullion is a wise investment choice for 2013. Even more relevant, gold prices, right now, are affordable. And when you are buying gold bullion, you are not just buying for the short term; you are buying for the long term. You are buying to strengthen your portfolio; you are buying as an investment for your future and for that of your family; you are buying it as a hedge against future instability, both nationally and on a geopolitical level.

Historically, investors have turned to gold when paper money has been in flux, when there has been inflation, when there are whispers of a recession, when the U.S. dollar has lost strength on the world market. All of those situations are happening, now. All of which means you’re not the only one looking at buying gold bullion.

With gold bullion, you have choices: buying gold bullion bars or buying gold bullion coins. Both are an excellent investment and are readily available to even the most novice investor. You can easily store your gold bullion in a home safe, transport them to a bank safety deposit box, or pay to have your gold bullion stored in a secured vault.

When you are ready to start buying gold bullion, do your research, determine which company has the best prices, which has been in business for some time and is therefore stable, and which offers the most transparent shipping and pricing policies.

You should be buying gold bullion, now: for your future.