Safest place to keep your money?

I live and work in America.  Where is the safest place to keep your money?  Banks? Stocks? Gold? Property? Under the Mattress?

I think diversification is essential. It is difficult if one doesn't have a great deal of savings, but with the current state of things it is necessary. Keeping all of your money in a bank can be considered suicide if there is a financial collapse or other emergency. Likewise keeping your funds in another form such as gold limits your ability in who, how, and how fast you can make transactions. Also, keeping all your funds OUTSIDE the system sends up red flags to various agencies. And let's face it, some of which have no moral quarrels with the fact that it's your word against theirs if you had 32 ounces of .9999 Au or 20 when they came by to investigate you. Remember $10k or over in any currency is considered suspect and subject to confiscation. Your opinion of whether or not we are heading for a fiscal disaster in this country should be your guideline as to stocks. If the US economy collapsed, the impact on the global community would be great so even dealing with other markets wouldn't be safe. If you feel that we might face a slight dip, or none at all then investing a portion in stocks would be wiser then keeping it all in a bank losing large amounts in comparison to inflation. Another good investment are commodities like bullets, water and rice. :) -MJ

When you say commodities, do you mean actually buying bullets, water & rice, or from a stock perspective?  Despite me learning more about economics almost every day, I still am completely clueless about getting into stocks...

My apologies, I was more or less making a joke. In the event of a true emergency, for at least a period of time during or after, the necessities of survival are worth more then any amount of money (In any form) you could possess. Gold will do little for any man dieing of thirst. And while one might trade water or food for gold over other currencies, in an uncertain time the concern that a return of a source of provisions may prevent one from offering those items up for sale/trade regardless of stockpiles. I was using the term in a more generalized manner. As in that situation any goods necessary to sustain life, and protect said life become straight up commodities. One wouldn't argue the differences between a box of Federal or that of a box of S&W. Just as one wouldn't argue between having a gallon of Perrier or a gallon of Poland Springs water, and wouldn't differentiate between a 50lb bag of Carolina long grain and a 50lb bag of California short grain rice. -MJ

I'd suggest stocks or other investment vehicles denominated in euros and Swiss francs.  You'll see both real gains through the investment as well as nominal gains as the dollar continues to fall against those currencies.  This contrasts to dollar-denominated stocks that can easily show nominal gains but real losses through inflation.  The franc is a particularly attractive inflation hedge due to being commodity-backed, but more diverse investment opportunities are denominated in euros.  Land near cities poised for growth can give tremendous returns on investment, but that's a very long term, probably generational, proposition.

When there is a boom, buy in whatever the bubble is. When word of a bust starts to come around sell everything and buy in Campbells Soup.

 

Aufheben:

The franc is a particularly attractive inflation hedge due to being commodity-backed

I thought the Swiss gave up gold backing in the '90s?

But land, particularly productive farm land, would seem to be a good investment for the long term. If push came to shove you could always be self supporting...assuming you actually knew how to farm.

And lots of bullets wouldn't hurt in the worst case scenario -- kind of partial to the claymore mines myself but everyone's entitled to their own form of 'home defense'.

Anonymous Coward:

 

I thought the Swiss gave up gold backing in the '90s?

It was in 2000 I think when they gave up the ghost on that.  Francs were only 40% backed by gold anyway.  But I guess 40% is better than no percent.

As far as storing your money I would invest in the three precious metals -- gold, silver and lead.  Gold and silver to buy stuff and lead to protect it (ie. bullets).  I currently buy a little bit of silver every now and then, as I can't really afford much more but I also invest in bullets for my AR15 and AK47...just in case.  I'm also saving a little bit of Federal Reserve Notes up.  Even though they aren't worth a damn they are still legal tender and it helps to have some laying around.  I'm reallying thinking about buying some Euros but I'll probably stick to buying silver.  Get a good safe and just hide it somewhere in the house real good.

Also, buy some beans and rice, salt and sugar, cornmeal and wheat grains (don't forget the grain mill).  Start a little garden and learn how to do that.  Buy some non-hybrid seeds and save them and learn how to save seeds yourself.  You may think this is crazy but there are people out there right now who are starving and that will spread to this country real quick.  And if you don't at least have a shotgun for Gods sake get one!  You're gonna need it.  I promise.