Nice stuff in there. I'm no market expert by any stretch of the imagination, nor would I give advice on the sort. When I got out of the service, I had just over 3 years' salary sitting in my bank...I had about 8 grand or so in Savings Bonds, but that was the extent of my "investments." Otherwise, the cash just stayed in a savings account.
I wanted to invest in something, but nothing risky or some sort of venture. I ended up buying silver and gold. That's it. I obtained the silver via bullion, junk silver(Morgan Dollars), Silver Eagles, and Silver Maple Leafs. Gold came in the form of various different-ounce sized US Mint coins, and some private Mint bullion. I obtained the silver at around $6 per Troy ounce, and Gold was going for around $446 per Troy ounce. Well, you know what those are valued at today.
I found out I wanted no debt at all. My vehicles I paid for. Completely. I did not get a mortgage. I have 3 acres of land in northern Philippines and own a small house in a Buffalo, NY suburb of which I rent out to a few people I know. I have just one credit card, of which is sometimes necessary as I visit some of the nicer hotels in the world(they always ask for a credit card). I live in south Florida where I rent a quaint 2-bedroom house.
Could I have gotten rich off the real estate craze down here? Certainly. An economist friend of mine told me, and I'll always remember this......To understand the Market, is to understand Humanity. When you see the masses go one way(i.e. the Dot.Com craze, Real estate, etc...), go the complete opposite. However, what did I lose? Nothing. I have no debt(aside from bills and rent), have savings, and live a comfortable enough lifestyle. I'm not rich, nor do I endeavor to be....but I feel rich....I eat well, have plenty of free time, get to travel several times a year, etc.
