Over the past few years, many people have turned to gold in an attempt to protect their savings from inflation and the ups and downs of the stock market. However, if you’re thinking about buying gold, there are four things you need to know before you buy any gold bullion or coins. The following article will help you understand these four key factors, which will help you make an informed decision about whether or not gold can benefit your portfolio.

1) Is it Real?

Gold is one of the most stable investments out there. And for this reason, it’s a common way for many people to invest their savings. But before you make the purchase, it’s important to know exactly what you’re buying. Otherwise, you may end up regretting your decision later on. We outline four crucial points to consider when buying gold: -What type of gold are you looking at? -Is this an investment or a gift? -What form is the gold in?

Are these items worth more than gold is trading for today?

Do you want to store them locally or with a third party provider?

Do you have any concerns about the item’s authenticity and/or metal purity?

How will selling your gold affect tax obligations? -When should you sell your gold?

If you buy physical bars of gold bullion, what type should you buy (e.g., American Eagle)?

Is there anything wrong with buying South African Krugerrands?

-What if I need to sell my gold soon after I buy it? Will that change the price I get from its market value if I’m forced to sell quickly?

2) Where are you buying it from?

We may not know for sure what will happen with the economy in the future, but if we’re looking to prepare now, buying gold isn’t a bad idea. That said, it can be easy to get caught up in all the hoopla and make a purchase without giving yourself time to research your options. A good place to start is figuring out how you want to buy it – bullion coins, or bar? And where are you going to store it? It’s also worth considering whether this is something you’re just looking at doing as an investment piece, or if you want something that you’ll eventually want to wear on your hand. If you don’t care about the latter, then maybe gold is right for you! But either way, give yourself some time to do some more reading and find out the answers to these questions before making any purchases.

3) What type of metal is it?

Gold is not a set-it-and-forget-it investment. That said, there are a few things you can do to make sure your gold maintains its value over time. First, consider investing in only 24 karat gold. Lesser quality gold will be worth less than the price of the metal used to produce it, so you may end up getting fewer ounces of gold than you pay for. Second, avoid buying anything that’s been made into jewelry or other items, such as earrings or rings.

4) How do I make sure its value keeps going up?

Buying gold is a long-term investment. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking they should buy gold because they think it will go up in value faster than stocks. It might sound good, but this won’t always be the case. Gold can be down for years at a time, and that’s why you need to know these four things before you buy any type of precious metal.

1) What are your goals? What are you investing for? Are you looking to get rich quick or do you want something more stable?

2) What is your tolerance for risk? If risk doesn’t bother you, then by all means invest in gold!

3) Do your research. Don’t just head into a store and buy something because it sounds like a good idea. Research about the company and find out how much gold they have stocked, as well as their standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

4) Who else is investing in gold? What other companies are selling it or what industries use it regularly? Do your research!

Conclusion

-Just because gold is valuable doesn’t mean you should buy it.
-Buy from a company that has been in business for a long time, since the longer the company has been around, the more likely they’ll be around for awhile.
-Ask about insurance and security.
-Know what your options are before investing any money. -Do your research to find out if the price of gold is going up or down.
-Do not take on too much risk when buying gold; there are plenty of other investments that can offer a higher return without as much risk.