Is it better to invest in necessities or silver before a depression?

Question

Is it better to invest in necessities or silver before a depression?

Answer 1

You can't eat silver.

But we aren't going to have a "depression"....

Answer 2

necessities -  if you have money to put into commodities like silver/ gold  - invest in stocks or mutual funds

dollar cost averaging - X number of $$ each month - you'll be surprised how quickly your savings will grow

Answer 3

I think it's a good idea to invest in precious metals at the moment. You can buy physical silver from your bank or you can buy silver certificates, silver accounts, silver exchange-traded funds, silver futures and options, mining shares.... The choice is yours. Choose reputable stable company to invest in stocks.

Answer 4

For an investment, precious metals are a good option.  Don't actually buy the metals, as they fees to do so are high.  Look for companies that are in the gold and silver mining industries, and purchase their stock.

Investing in necessities is not advisable, since during a depression, prices of necessities will go down.  You'd be wasting your money to buy them at a higher price now.

To the person who says we aren't going to have a depression, I assume you are not in the US.  We are already in the beginning stages of a depression.

Answer 5

Silver is a good way to horde your cash.  I don't know enough about jewelry to really recommend this, but a friend of mine has an understanding with his wife that, with a few sentimental exceptions, the jewelry he gives her is a way to store wealth as a couple rather than a me-to-you gift.  If you can give your wife some jewelry that won't lose value and she won't kill you for asking for it back if you need to sell it, that could be a good idea too.  Necessities could be a good idea, but more for security than for investment.  

Most people have no plans for disaster.  While the extent of your plans will depend on your means and what disasters you think are more likely to come to your hometown.  Some people go nuts with this and build a shelter they can lock themselves in with enough food for a year for their family.  

If, like most people, you think that amount of pessimism is overkill, you should at least be prepared to spend a week or two in your home if for some reason riots start.  Just having some spare canned food and water, and thinking through all the other supplies you'd need if the stores closed for a week would be a great idea.  Being able to lay hands on supplies to evacuate yourself and your family quickly would be good too.