A Message to Newly Minted (or Potential) Gold Bugs
I was taught years ago that “gold is not about price… gold is about value.” Be measured, be balanced and don’t make more of it than it is. Gold is just a tool, an anchor to sound money; to value.
So says Gary Tanashian (www.biiwii.com/) in edited excerpts from his original article* which Lorimer Wilson, editor of www.munKNEE.com has further edited below for length and clarity.
Tanashian goes on to say, in part:
[A]s the European debt situation unravels, the solvency of the United States is questioned and inflated economies the world over show signs of deceleration, the public has taken an incremental step toward acknowledging gold as a viable asset in a sensible portfolio.
[If you are] a newly minted gold bug you [have come to] understand that policy makers are under extreme pressure to “do something!” in accordance with the implied confidence that the public continues to show in their ability to centrally manage economies and markets – things like interest rate manipulation, currency manipulation and a host of other tools…to get things on the right track again.
The idea of gold ownership stems from the fact that the currencies of the realm are routinely and competitively debased in the name of growth which [is what] the stock market demands. Unfortunately, around 10 years ago, under the stewardship of Alan Greenspan, the idea of productive growth was abandoned in favor of inflationary growth, by policy. Enter the secular gold bull market, that is now in its 12th year.
What is the ‘Price’ of Value?
The bull market in gold, however, is really a bear market in paper, or more precisely, confidence in official paper, and confidence in official power, which has been slowly declining for years.
It is helpful, therefore, to understand concepts like ‘value’ and ‘insurance’ as opposed to ‘price’ and money making ‘plays.’
Gold is not going to make you money. It is acting as if it is money; the only money capable of retaining value in current conditions. Buying it in hopes of scoring a big hit is sure to end in heartbreak because the buyer would not be strong enough of will and mindset to endure what is sure to lay ahead in volatility…
The Touts
…[Beware] the sleazy gold ads, especially those pitching ‘rare’ coins or those trying to scare you into buying. When things start going wrong in the macro, primal instincts can rise to the surface; like survival for instance but a knee-jerk approach seldom succeeds in the financial world.
It is advised that you take a balanced approach and realize that buying opportunities in the precious metals tend to be best when everybody hates them, not loves them so try to at least filter the touts during times of emotion. There are reputable dealers and there is much reputable analysis that explains the rational case for gold. Go find them.
Have an Overall Plan
Today’s events are not about gold. Please, if you have not done so, drop this mentality right away. Gold is one tool for the tool box but its historical and religious connotations are undeniable yet for our purposes, we are managing the realm of financial survival and prosperity. This is not a Richard Burton / Elizabeth Taylor movie.
1. Debt: Debt is a big issue. Get rid of it if at all possible. When the system finally belches and keels over, it is probably wise not to be tied to it with too many obligations denominated in a failing currency. Inflationists say ‘the more debt the better, the government will just inflate it away’ but they forget that there is the deflationary Yang in play to inflation’s Yin. Gold and debt elimination, that’s a start.
2. Real Estate: How about property of value… like open space, farmland or the like, as opposed to McMansions clustered tightly with so many others? I know, these subdivisions can have some good cook outs, block parties and holiday gatherings, but… how about productive enterprise?…
3. Gold Stocks: Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat…they are not gold, they are plays on gold, companies run by often faulty people in often remote and threatening environments. Insofar as one speculates, they also happen to be lining up for what I believe is an epic capital appreciation opportunity for very rational reasons I focus on each week…but they are not gold. They are all about price and leverage, when the time is right. Some may wish to think about a ‘play’ on the currently undervalued miners with a plan to cycle gains into something of, you guessed it, value, down the road.
Summary
The mainstream media are finally on the job, scaring the $*#% out of you about all that is wrong in the global construct. Early adopters became aware that gold was entering a bull market many years ago. They also sought to deleverage from the system in a myriad of sensible ways. Now, the enchilada is unwinding for all to see. Gold is becoming a crowded trade that I suspect is going to become much more crowded in the years ahead – but volatility can visit with a simple meeting of international ministers in high places and a resolution with some official sounding words on it. Gold is the tattle tale that cannot resist ratting out the futility of these macro managers.
Gold is simply a store of value, and its Value Proposition has not changed in the years and centuries of ups and downs in its nominal price. Just remember the old saw about how an ounce of gold will always be able to buy a nice men’s suit. It still can.
*http://biiwii.blogspot.ca/2011/08/to-newly-minted-gold-bugs.html
Editor’s Note: The above article has been has edited ([ ]), abridged (…), and reformatted (including the title, some sub-titles and bold/italics emphases) for the sake of clarity and brevity to ensure a fast and easy read. The article’s views and conclusions are unaltered and no personal comments have been included to maintain the integrity of the original article.
