How should I invest my money if a depression were to come?

Question

How should I invest my money if a depression were to come?

Answer 1

All of the above answers are right in a sense.  You'll want hard currency...because the dollar bill won't be worth squat if the economy goes bust.  As it is, it is currently backed by our faith that it's worth something, not actual hard wealth; I don't care what myths they spin for you in Econ 1101.  

Coins are your best bet.  Commodities rank a close second...lay your hands on as much "stuff that others want" as you can.

Answer 2

bullion

Answer 3

If it's the depression (stagflation) that we're currently on a crash course for, purchase silver.  You can get it from a coin shop or online.  Look up Howard Ruff, he's got some great advice regarding hedging against inflation.  Does anyone question that we're heading into an inflationary period?  What does gold and silver do in an inflation?  It goes up.  Period.  When silver is bought in today's dollars and sold in tomorrow's dollars, you've not just saved, you've gained because there's other factors in silver's price.  I've watched it increase over $2 just in the last month.  I chose silver because percentage-wise, it's the best return.  Silver up $2 = 10%+, Gold up $30 = 3%+.

Answer 4

how did a cat get money ?

hold up......where's my wallet ?

Answer 5

solidify your assests, buy hard things that won't depreciate or deteriorate like, gold, art work, treasure, marble statues, that sort of thing. Perhaps property but that is devaluing now, it shouldn't forever, land will always be useful.

to invest in business, invest in low income things like dollar stores, supermarkets, cheap family activity places, idk if there is a way to invest in unemployment or unemployment related enterprise. For instance invest in yahoo jobs or hudson valley help wanted .com, temp staffing services, Poor times also bring vice,

invest in booze and bars, strip clubs, and the seediness of society,where they'll all go to forget thier misery. anti depressants, ludes, cocaine and all else could you do so, young urban disenfranchised music, public transportation, spam, cheap junk like lee press on nails for the next generation of lame underprivilaged teen agers,

Answer 6

In the lottery!

Answer 7

I would have to recommend buying things that have actual value.  The main example I can think of is gold, technically our currency is even based on gold.

Answer 8

wish i had an answer but i have no clue... sry...

interesting question though...

Answer 9

stocks,ur own business

Answer 10

You can't if the economy crashes and burns.

Answer 11

Invest in gold, kitty. It will never lose all its value, and it is projected as doing very well in the future.

Answer 12

Short-sell stock index securities.

But for anyone not confident about that, just deposit your cash in internet banking saver accounts.  They are safe and earn slightly more interest than the ordinary bank account.

Answer 13

in guns and ammo so you can fight off the desperate thieves and take what you want.

Answer 14

In coffee cans buried in your back yard.

Answer 15

Quite simply, put it in things that are not tied strongly to the economy or generally perform better than the economy.  In other words, don't put it into debt (loans, etc., including a loan for your house), don't put it into stocks, etc.

Put it into government bonds or bond funds (not necessarily municipal bonds, as cities will stop major building if the economy slows down).  Put it into T-bills and other US Treasury securities.  Don't have too much of it in cash, as in a depression, inflation can run crazy and cash can become worthless quickly.  Gold and other precious metals can be good investments.  Putting it into real estate CAN be a good move -- provided you actually OWN the real estate and aren't just making payments on it.

Get rid of as much debt and / or speculative investments as you can.

Hope this helps.

Answer 16

Well, not the stock market, though I guess that's kind of obvious.

I mean, to be honest, in a serious depression, the value of the dollar decreases so rapidly that it becomes nearly worthless.

(I.e. In Germany 1919, a loaf of bread cost 1 mark. By 1923, it cost 200 million marks. I'm not exaggerating.)

Answer 17

There won't be no depression, stop worrying and live your life before you die and leave all that money behind.

Answer 18

Whatever you do, make sure that your money is FDIC insured! (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)

Answer 19

stuff your cash into your mattress

Answer 20

no one can afford steak invest in bologna! no on can afford to drive a car invest in bicycles. no one can afford electricity invest in candles!