The guy that had the wife that took his gold and ran...................... He was one lucky dude. With a wife like that I would say that was a cheap way out. LOL I think each individual has to consider their financial position, their position in life (new wife with a new baby or a 65 year old with enough savings to retire - makes a difference), etc. Asking if a person should have some gold is kind of like asking if they should have some bonds or stocks. Well if they are broke and living paycheck to paycheck, probably not. If they have lots of stocks, bonds, farmland, etc, gold can offer some diversification. It has its place in some portfolio's. Personally, I prefer silver when it comes to PM's. One problem with both of them is they are considered "collectables" by the IRS instead of money like they should be. So the government feels inclined to tax any what they consider to be any "increase" in value at ordinary tax rates. They are "money" as defined by the constitution and should not be taxed at all, but that is another discussion. So the government gets its pound of inflation tax flesh even if a person protects himself from currency depreciation by owning them. I kind of like CEF (Central Fund of Canada). It has both gold and silver and is considered a fund so is taxed at capital gains rates when held an appropriate amount of time. My wife could still steal it though. Her name is on the brokerage account too. If she does I will say good riddance. John