Gold tends to be all the rage in times of economic uncertainty. Investors flock to the "yellow metal" when things go sour because they see it as a safe haven for their money until they feel better about venturing back into things they view as riskier, like common stocks and real estate. Such a strategy can actually … Continue reading 5 Metals That May Be Brighter Than Gold

Barter is an act of trading goods or services between two or more parties without the use of money (or a monetary medium such as a credit card). In essence, bartering involves the provision of one good or service by one party in return for another good or service from another party. A simple example of a barter arrangement … Continue reading What is a ‘Barter’?

Hyperinflation is extremely fast or out-of-control inflation. Hyperinflation occurs when price increases are so wild that the concept of inflation is meaningless. Although hyperinflation is considered to be rare, it occurred as many as 55 times in the 20th century in countries such as China, Germany, Russia, Hungary and Argentina. BREAKING DOWN 'Hyperinflation' When associated with depressions, … Continue reading What is ‘Hyperinflation’?

Fiat money is currency that a government has declared to be legal tender, but it is not backed by a physical commodity. The value of fiat money is derived from the relationship between supply and demand rather than the value of the material from which the money is made. BREAKING DOWN 'Fiat Money' Fiat money only has … Continue reading What is ‘Fiat Money’ ?

A commodity is a basic good used in commerce that is interchangeable with other commodities of the same type. Commodities are most often used as inputs in the production of other goods or services. The quality of a given commodity may differ slightly, but it is essentially uniform across producers. When they are traded on … Continue reading What is a ‘Commodity’ ?

The gold standard can refer to several things, including a fixed monetary regime under which the government's currency is fixed and may be freely converted into gold. It can also refer to a freely competitive monetary system in which gold or bank receipts for gold act as the principal medium of exchange; or to a … Continue reading What is the ‘Gold Standard’ ?

Gold is respected throughout the world for its value and rich history, which has been interwoven into cultures for thousands of years. Coins containing gold appeared around 800 B.C., and the first pure gold coins were struck during the rein of King Croesus of Lydia about 300 years later. Throughout the centuries, people have continued … Continue reading Main Reasons To Own Gold