Owen
Moderator Emeritus
On January 2 1990, the DJIA closed at $2810
On Friday, the DJIA closed at $15,399.
That doesn't count reinvesting dividends
On Friday, the DJIA closed at $15,399.
That doesn't count reinvesting dividends
$1000 to invest for a 2y/o - options and storage
- Thread starter donut132
- Start date
- Status
A lot more than a $300 SKS. 1990 was 23 years ago. The average return of the stock market for the last 25 years is 20.6% for 20 years it is 19.6%. So take the $75 and figure a middle ground of 10% for 23 years you have $671.00
Guns hold value better than most other "hobbies", but it should not be considered when you really want to invest money
That SKS is barely better than 6%. It would be 6.23%
oldbear
Member
Open a 509 collage savings plan or mutual fund, then add a few bucks to it ever payday, in 17 - 18 years your son should have enough money to pay for a good part of his education and then buy a nice firearm.
Investing your sons gift by buying a firearm is not a wise investment by any Stretch of the imagination. It is almost as bad as asking for investment advise on an Internet firearm forum...
MattShlock
Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2013
- Messages
- 787
The Heck With It!
Buy the kid whatever gun you want. And when he's almost college age do what my Dad did...
...ask him if he's going to college, if so, how he's going to pay for it, and encourage him to apply to places that are free at the last miniute which he won't get into. LOL
Buy the kid whatever gun you want. And when he's almost college age do what my Dad did...
...ask him if he's going to college, if so, how he's going to pay for it, and encourage him to apply to places that are free at the last miniute which he won't get into. LOL
CharlieDeltaJuliet
Member
The only reason I suggest silver is because it is used in almost ever electronic, it is at nearly dig price. Which means people who mine silver are making a couple bucks an ounce over cost. It will not get much cheaper. After the market crash in 2007 and losing over $40,000 I decided that I will never invest that way again. We are one default away from it happening again or it being worse. Silver isn't for suckers, precious metals are good long term investments. My family have made quite a bit from them over the past 30-35 years.
The reason silver is bottomed put is because of the dollar. The Chinese are using more and more everyday and while there is still plenty of it on earth, it is being used more than ever each new day. Your cell phone has a couple dollars of gold and silver in it. Both are great conductors of electricity. How you invest is up to you. If you want to buy him a firearm, great, but it most likely will not go up on value more than the inflation of the dollar(typical with most firearms). I refuse other than my IRA, to gamble with any other company using my money. I am worried about financial collapse in this country. We owe 17 trillion dollars, mainly to Social Security and other government departments, but still a few trillion to overseas countries. If the intrest rate gets raised again because we lose our credit status because of a shutdown or etc, it could efectivly make the dollar worthless. If commodities quit trading in the US dollar we are screwed with outrageous fuel costs ($7-8 a gallon like Europe) and the best investments are physical investments such as property, precious metals, and tradable items that people will still need. My grandfather went through the Great Depression, money was almost worthless. What wages were earned we spent to buy basic survival needs. This nation is in peril as far as it's economic status. I just hope it never crashes. My original savings account drew 6/8% intrest, now my daughters draws 1.5%. It is a state credit union and offer almost a half a point better intrest than my now former bank. Listen to all of these guys, I am not saying my way is right, I am just saying that this is how I and my father made money. Gold is still too high and could drop more. So take this with a grain of salt. But it is just one of my ways to invest in a physical investment that will rise over time. Will it rise 10% or 1000% , who knows. That isn't controlled by our nation, but the rest of the world. But it was nice to have several ounces of gold to cash in at nearly $1900 an ounce to offset my stock market loss. I had used an investment firm, and I know a lot of people lost a great deal more money. But that is the way the game is played. Just my $0.02, take it with a grain of salt. I just don't have the confidence in the stock market to dabble in it anymore.
A government insured education savings account is a good return on your money by the time college comes. It is my next move with other money, but it is good to not have all your eggs in one basket.
The reason silver is bottomed put is because of the dollar. The Chinese are using more and more everyday and while there is still plenty of it on earth, it is being used more than ever each new day. Your cell phone has a couple dollars of gold and silver in it. Both are great conductors of electricity. How you invest is up to you. If you want to buy him a firearm, great, but it most likely will not go up on value more than the inflation of the dollar(typical with most firearms). I refuse other than my IRA, to gamble with any other company using my money. I am worried about financial collapse in this country. We owe 17 trillion dollars, mainly to Social Security and other government departments, but still a few trillion to overseas countries. If the intrest rate gets raised again because we lose our credit status because of a shutdown or etc, it could efectivly make the dollar worthless. If commodities quit trading in the US dollar we are screwed with outrageous fuel costs ($7-8 a gallon like Europe) and the best investments are physical investments such as property, precious metals, and tradable items that people will still need. My grandfather went through the Great Depression, money was almost worthless. What wages were earned we spent to buy basic survival needs. This nation is in peril as far as it's economic status. I just hope it never crashes. My original savings account drew 6/8% intrest, now my daughters draws 1.5%. It is a state credit union and offer almost a half a point better intrest than my now former bank. Listen to all of these guys, I am not saying my way is right, I am just saying that this is how I and my father made money. Gold is still too high and could drop more. So take this with a grain of salt. But it is just one of my ways to invest in a physical investment that will rise over time. Will it rise 10% or 1000% , who knows. That isn't controlled by our nation, but the rest of the world. But it was nice to have several ounces of gold to cash in at nearly $1900 an ounce to offset my stock market loss. I had used an investment firm, and I know a lot of people lost a great deal more money. But that is the way the game is played. Just my $0.02, take it with a grain of salt. I just don't have the confidence in the stock market to dabble in it anymore.
A government insured education savings account is a good return on your money by the time college comes. It is my next move with other money, but it is good to not have all your eggs in one basket.
browningguy
Member
But that's not even close to the whole story, gold has gone down from that $1900 oz to $1250 in less than a year, and I know plenty of people that bought silver in the '80's at $48 and still haven't gotten their money back.
Agreed. Just like it is difficult to pick a high performing fund, it is difficult to pick a high performing gun investment. If you are looking for a no brainer, invest in a couple of index funds. Silver isn't a bad idea either. I've been buying some along when I can get it at a good price ($2-$3 over spot). Not sure how it will play out in the long run, but putting some of the money into silver and the rest into the market wouldn't be a bad idea.
MattShlock
Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2013
- Messages
- 787
I am amazed at people who push precious metals. Like Global Warming salesmen they use the same exact excuses when it's down as when it's going up.
Did I mention Series I U.S. Savings Bonds? The Constitution requires debt be paid before all other expenses by the way. The President forgot to mention this when he kept telling us the U.S. was going to default...
Did I mention Series I U.S. Savings Bonds? The Constitution requires debt be paid before all other expenses by the way. The President forgot to mention this when he kept telling us the U.S. was going to default...
The DOW closed at 2516 on October 22, 1990. It closed at 15392 October 21, 2013. This is an increase of 611%. So if you had invested in one of any number of low cost, weighted ETFs with that $75 back in 1990, you would have $458.25 to withdraw today. You could buy an SKS at today's prices with that and have $150 or so left over for ammo.
Obviously, I'm with the crowd saying that firearms are for fun, stocks and bonds are for investing.
For those interested in an extremely simple yet effective method of investing, I encourage you to visit this site.
Last edited:
We've not even touched on the damage to the family relationship yet.
He's been entrusted with $1,000 from his child's grandmother to invest it wisely to pay for his child's future college education. Betraying that trust puts the relationship with his mother-in-law at risk and can put his relationship with his wife at risk as well.
Doing as requested allows him to then substitute a similar amount he has available to follow his wishes without betraying the trust put in him. If he doesn't have the $1,000 to do this himself then he should do what we recommend every gun owner do, wait, save, make a wise purchase without taking money away from the family.
Why is this important with respect to firearms? Never purchase firearms you don't have the money to purchase because it puts you and your family relationships at risk and it puts the hobby before the family. If someone makes a gift of money for you to purchase a firearm instead of an actual firearm then you then have the money to make the purchase, but when someone entrusts money to you for a specific other purpose and you decide to divert it for something else you break that trust and you take it away from, in this case, your child.
Responsible gun ownership is what we're about here. Sometimes that isn't as much fun as we'd like, but that's what makes us responsible gun owners.
He's been entrusted with $1,000 from his child's grandmother to invest it wisely to pay for his child's future college education. Betraying that trust puts the relationship with his mother-in-law at risk and can put his relationship with his wife at risk as well.
Doing as requested allows him to then substitute a similar amount he has available to follow his wishes without betraying the trust put in him. If he doesn't have the $1,000 to do this himself then he should do what we recommend every gun owner do, wait, save, make a wise purchase without taking money away from the family.
Why is this important with respect to firearms? Never purchase firearms you don't have the money to purchase because it puts you and your family relationships at risk and it puts the hobby before the family. If someone makes a gift of money for you to purchase a firearm instead of an actual firearm then you then have the money to make the purchase, but when someone entrusts money to you for a specific other purpose and you decide to divert it for something else you break that trust and you take it away from, in this case, your child.
Responsible gun ownership is what we're about here. Sometimes that isn't as much fun as we'd like, but that's what makes us responsible gun owners.
Investment for College
You do not mention where you are from, and not being sure of that if you live in Florida you can pay for college for your son, grandson ahead of time by opening up a college education account paying for college ahead of time at today`s prices and the paying ahead of time will go further in today`s prices than in 2020 I think it was he would most likely be starting. I know this is available in Florida and may be available other states as well. I wish you and you son luck.
You do not mention where you are from, and not being sure of that if you live in Florida you can pay for college for your son, grandson ahead of time by opening up a college education account paying for college ahead of time at today`s prices and the paying ahead of time will go further in today`s prices than in 2020 I think it was he would most likely be starting. I know this is available in Florida and may be available other states as well. I wish you and you son luck.
huntsman
Member
You can't possibly believe the Markets as they were in 1990 are the same markets today? When the Fed ups QE to a trillion a month the market will respond accordingly but what will be the state of this country?
Telekinesis
Member
Let me rephrase my initial comment as its hitting on some financial nuances that really don't matter right now.
The overall economic health of the market doesn't matter when calculating your return on investment.
Also, I'd suggest checking your facts about QE. The Fed has actually been talking about reducing its bond buying for months. unfortunately the gov shutdown screwed up most of the recent Econ data, so that reduction might still take a few more months to get here. FYI current bond buying is at $85 Billion/Month with plans to eventually reduce by $10 Billion incrimemts.
Last edited:
Claude Clay
Member
10 shares of BRK-B
at $118 today, its up ~600% since inception 16 years ago.
it tends to outperform the market and has an extensive and interesting history.
if he had this ( or another good stock) to follow in the world of finance,
perhaps it would spark an interest in investing
at $118 today, its up ~600% since inception 16 years ago.
it tends to outperform the market and has an extensive and interesting history.
if he had this ( or another good stock) to follow in the world of finance,
perhaps it would spark an interest in investing
ny32182
Member
Put the $1k into a DJIA or S&P 500 index fund, and in 20 years it will reliably be much increased in value. To do better with any individual commodity (gold/silver) or firearm might be possible, but it will be dumb luck if it happens.
Firearms are tools, not investments.
Firearms are tools, not investments.
mr.trooper
Member
Take the time to look into the ACTUAL return on investment the firearms offer. You WILL be disappointed.
How much is a decent 'Pre 64' model 70 worth? OK - now subtract the equivalent cost of the weapon in 1960's dollars (I'll give you a hint - Winchesters weren't ever cheap) ... Now divide that amount of money by 49 years (65 years by the time your son comes of age) - THAT is how much money your supposedly "collectible" firearm nets you each year.
Its only going to be a couple of dollars per year. If you wanted to make money, you could do better picking up can along the road in your spare time.
For the most part, in 99% of cases, firearms are a very POOR investment from a monetary standpoint. Even CLass III weapons like Full autos barely keep pace with inflation some years. Bad investment strategy if your goal is to make money.
As for the kid and college ... degree inflation is something you need to be concerned about. Virtually everyone gets low interest loans and free grants for college these days... so EVERYONE goes to college. A huge percentage of those people never do anything related to their degree. A 4 year Bachelors degree is essentially worthless as this point. in 2029 the situation will only get worse. A masters degree is the new Bachelors - you HAVE to go that high to have a prayer of getting noticed, because education means less and less every year.
So unless you can streatch that $1,000 to last him 8 years (more like 10 or 12 for 50% of students...) You wont get him very far in the way of educating him enough to stand out.
Reality is getting harsh out there.
How much is a decent 'Pre 64' model 70 worth? OK - now subtract the equivalent cost of the weapon in 1960's dollars (I'll give you a hint - Winchesters weren't ever cheap) ... Now divide that amount of money by 49 years (65 years by the time your son comes of age) - THAT is how much money your supposedly "collectible" firearm nets you each year.
Its only going to be a couple of dollars per year. If you wanted to make money, you could do better picking up can along the road in your spare time.
For the most part, in 99% of cases, firearms are a very POOR investment from a monetary standpoint. Even CLass III weapons like Full autos barely keep pace with inflation some years. Bad investment strategy if your goal is to make money.
As for the kid and college ... degree inflation is something you need to be concerned about. Virtually everyone gets low interest loans and free grants for college these days... so EVERYONE goes to college. A huge percentage of those people never do anything related to their degree. A 4 year Bachelors degree is essentially worthless as this point. in 2029 the situation will only get worse. A masters degree is the new Bachelors - you HAVE to go that high to have a prayer of getting noticed, because education means less and less every year.
So unless you can streatch that $1,000 to last him 8 years (more like 10 or 12 for 50% of students...) You wont get him very far in the way of educating him enough to stand out.
Reality is getting harsh out there.
Last edited:
huntsman
Member
LOL LOL and LOL and we're in recovery also
Telekinesis
Member
You're right, what do I know? I only work in the financial sector and get daily updates and forecasts on the state of the Economy and the Fed's decisions
The Fed routinely hints at its future policy decisions well in advance of an actual change in policy so that they don't spook investors. Investors are unpredictable when caught off guard and tend to create a more volitile market place, which is the exact opposite of what the Fed is trying to create. There is no reason to believe the Fed is being untruthful in their press releases about slowing the rate of bond buying, and every reason to believe that they will follow through with their plan.
ny32182
Member
I don't know what it is about gun forum membership in particular that drives this, but any time investing comes up on a gun forum, you get a very outsized dose of the "no investing; only buy gold and bullets, everything else will shortly be worthless in the imminent a-pocylypse" commentary...
I think in the end it boils down to the fact that guns are more fun to buy than stocks, and since they retain some value better than most totally disposable goods/hobby items, people can talk themselves into thinking they are "investing" in guns.
I think in the end it boils down to the fact that guns are more fun to buy than stocks, and since they retain some value better than most totally disposable goods/hobby items, people can talk themselves into thinking they are "investing" in guns.
wally
Member
That is kind of what I figured, but I didn't have any market numbers handy. Only real issue is will $1000 be enough to open up an index fund account, and you really need to shop for the lowest possible fees.
My main point is some guns do better than inflation, others do worse, but none will pay compound interest. Neither does land, gold or silver. Land has high "fees" in terms of property taxes that need to be paid every year.
ny32182
Member
Any index fund fees should be at or EXTREMELY close to zero since there is no active management, and $1k is enough to get you started in basically any DIY brokerage these days.
wally
Member
At the end of the day my guns are for fun and pride of ownership, but they are a component of my "portfolio" as their value will skyrocket if the better investments that are dependent on third parties and stable systems should crash.
Interesting 3 pages of insight and education.
Find a person with "CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®" behind his name and ask him/her. They can steer you in the correct direction.
In the old days, at 7% rate of return, your money would double in 7 years.
I worked with guys in the late 1980s who took lump sums for retirement and they locked in the money at 18% for 30 years.
There is nothing written in stone about in investing.
Now you can go to bed at night and have the economy wrecked here during the night from what happens in China or the Middle East, thanks to the computer and the media.
Find a person with "CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®" behind his name and ask him/her. They can steer you in the correct direction.
In the old days, at 7% rate of return, your money would double in 7 years.
I worked with guys in the late 1980s who took lump sums for retirement and they locked in the money at 18% for 30 years.
There is nothing written in stone about in investing.
Now you can go to bed at night and have the economy wrecked here during the night from what happens in China or the Middle East, thanks to the computer and the media.
leadcounsel
member
Full disclosure - It's expired due to inactivity, but I was once a licensed stock broker and financial advisor and worked in that industry for a few years (long enough to be a premier trader - I routinely advised multi-millionaire clients and make trades worth millions of $ - and understand the markets). I saw rampant corruption in the markets. I have strong distrust for them due to market manipulation by powerful firms and individuals. The big secret is that the markets are designed to get powerful people rich on your money. I could go on and on... Nobody in the industry will tell you that because it's their livelihood. I no longer have these financial licenses and am NOT making any professional advice. I didn't like the industry, the corruption, and chose a different career path so my licenses expired. So this is life experience and opinion I'm sharing, with my view of current events.
You can cherry pick both great and bad economic times in the last few decades. But it's not relevant going forward.
Using a compounding interest calculator, IF (and it's a big IF) you can guarantee 4% return (which is awesome) on an investment over the next 16 years, $1000 is about $1900 in 16 years. A whopping $1900. Big deal. Let's not forget that the dollar is declining and inflation may eat away a lot of that. http://investor.gov/tools/calculators/compound-interest-calculator But let's not forget that you *could* also lose it all. You could have 10 great years and wham, lose 100% of it if you invest poorly. Let's not forget all the fees, taxes, etc. associated.
Anyone who believes the markets in the future will perform as they did in the past is not tuned into the financial health of our nation. I was also in the military for 7 years so I have intimate experience with government and the rampant fraud/waste/abuse. I hate to say it, and many simply won't accept the reality, but we have a dying nation - it's dying from bloated government, wasted resources, ruined manufacturing bases, terrible laws, and crippling debt. Just like if you borrowed way too much in your household, and lived a lifestyle well above your means, someday the bill is due and if you can't pay, bad things happen. Well, we have built this wonderful appearance of a house with lots of 'stuff,' but our wealth is now a total fraud. The markets, the banks, our wealth and power is all 'borrowed' and we simply can't repay it at this point. To be blunt, it's a house of cards and the we're in for some strong winds. Detroit is a micro-economy of what our nation is facing. Once a proud, prosperous center of industry and model for the world, producing nearly every car consumed in the world. People in the 1950s would think you're crazy to say that it would fail. Yet here we are. Terrible policies, laws, taxes, and failure to respond to the global competition ruined Detroit. Now the jobs and industry are gone. Rampant poverty, unemployment, and social welfare. Hundreds of square miles of vacant housing and businesses that can't be sold for a single $1. Murder rate rivals Chicago and Washington DC. Cops don't respond to 911 calls. Uncontrollable crime, dog fighting, prostitution, etc. It's a drug and crime infested ghost town with rampant insurmountable problems, and that change took about 3 decades.
We've had 'corrections' in the recent past (~2001, 2005, 2008) when various 'bubbles' burst. These small corrections collapsed the markets. What happens when a REAL financial collapse happens? We're facing insurmountable problems. Declining dollar. Peak oil (oil is what most of our prosperity is based on). Called debts. Future war with REAL opponents, not 3rd world armpits. And on and on and on... As a nation, few leaders have the fortitude and ability to change course. So... it's not a matter of "IF" but "WHEN..."
Again, we have a $17 Trillion national debt, with some $100 Trillion in unfunded liabilities. There isn't enough money in the world to repay our unfunded liabilities. That's worth repeating. There isn't enough money in the world to repay our unfunded liabilities. As a nation, we have borrowed MORE in the last few years than in he combined HISTORY of our nation. Each working person owes $125,000 in Federal debt.
Think about America and why we became a world power. We made stuff. We were fiscally responsible. We innovated. Most of the major innovations came from the United States in the 20th Century. Most of our nation pulled together and was patriotic and made selfless sacrifices for family and nation. People never expected handouts. We took care of our old within the family. We expected to work hard. We won wars decisively. And we used our resources wisely. When we had hard times, we pulled through working together and making things. Our kids got jobs and worked hard. Look at our youth today. That is our future. Alarming drugs, crime, lack of morality, and lack of education (government education is among the worst in the 1st world), lack of self-reliance skills.
Now, the opposite of success is our global model. Corruption. Debt. Handouts. Destroyed middle class. Tossing grandma into retirement homes. A youth that does not appear up to the task of the greatest generation which built our nation. Lack of national morality. Destroyed global reputation with foolish wars that were either lost, stalemates and never worth the sacrifices, etc. Oh, and this isn't just Leadcounsel pontificating on our decline. History repeats itself. Global superpowers fell (or lost most of its world influence) includes an impressive list: Rome, England (once owned 4/5ths of the world), Russia, etc.. The common theme: Debt. War. Poor leadership. Lack of national direction or integrity. Sad part is, the majority of American adults care more about "Reality TV" and the football score... and looking for handouts... asleep at the wheel.
Anyone who thinks that this is just Chicken Little - be honest and answer why we, America, is different than all of the previous failed nations who did the same stuff we are deep in... what makes us special to avoid falling off the cliff?
How is this gun related. Well, I think investing in physical, tangible items/tools is going to pay off in OUR future more than some worthless paper ownership in some company in a far off state - when that company may be cooking books or subject to arbitrary taxes and laws that may negatively impact it; and when the value of your assets fluctuate up and down as much as 50% in a moment due to some event in a foreign land, terrorism, lawsuits, and on and on and on.
There are reports that with the rising cost of college, that it's not worth the investment. Pick a tradeschool instead. Some very successful people didn't graduate from college, including Bill Gates.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/08/05/college-students-loans-debt-column/2616761/
My advice is to buy cheap and stack deep. I fear the childs' life will be harder than picking which college to attend. Yes, guns and accessories and ammo fluctuate. But as any smart financial person will tell you, buy low. NOW is the time to buy guns, ammo and accessories low. I just saw advertisements for $8 AR mags, $700 AR15s, $600 AK47s, etc. This is a downward 'dip' in the market.
In the past, traditional investments *may* have been the way to go. I say that, because lets not forget there were a LOT of losers in the past too, not just winners. However in the FUTURE, I firmly believe that REAL self-reliance skills and knowing how to use your hands AND brains will be more important than some $200,000 degree on the wall. I'd much rather be given an AR15 and 1000 rounds of ammo and a few mags than *potentially* some cash (around $1900 as described above, which won't even make a dent in a college education) - if it's worth anything in 16 years.
There's more than just "resale" value in a firearm. It's a life saving tool, good for self defense, deterrence, hunting, and freedom. Guns are frankly underpriced for what they are, and should be about 10 times what they cost. Someday there will be a 'market correction' and their true value will be clear.
You can cherry pick both great and bad economic times in the last few decades. But it's not relevant going forward.
Using a compounding interest calculator, IF (and it's a big IF) you can guarantee 4% return (which is awesome) on an investment over the next 16 years, $1000 is about $1900 in 16 years. A whopping $1900. Big deal. Let's not forget that the dollar is declining and inflation may eat away a lot of that. http://investor.gov/tools/calculators/compound-interest-calculator But let's not forget that you *could* also lose it all. You could have 10 great years and wham, lose 100% of it if you invest poorly. Let's not forget all the fees, taxes, etc. associated.
Anyone who believes the markets in the future will perform as they did in the past is not tuned into the financial health of our nation. I was also in the military for 7 years so I have intimate experience with government and the rampant fraud/waste/abuse. I hate to say it, and many simply won't accept the reality, but we have a dying nation - it's dying from bloated government, wasted resources, ruined manufacturing bases, terrible laws, and crippling debt. Just like if you borrowed way too much in your household, and lived a lifestyle well above your means, someday the bill is due and if you can't pay, bad things happen. Well, we have built this wonderful appearance of a house with lots of 'stuff,' but our wealth is now a total fraud. The markets, the banks, our wealth and power is all 'borrowed' and we simply can't repay it at this point. To be blunt, it's a house of cards and the we're in for some strong winds. Detroit is a micro-economy of what our nation is facing. Once a proud, prosperous center of industry and model for the world, producing nearly every car consumed in the world. People in the 1950s would think you're crazy to say that it would fail. Yet here we are. Terrible policies, laws, taxes, and failure to respond to the global competition ruined Detroit. Now the jobs and industry are gone. Rampant poverty, unemployment, and social welfare. Hundreds of square miles of vacant housing and businesses that can't be sold for a single $1. Murder rate rivals Chicago and Washington DC. Cops don't respond to 911 calls. Uncontrollable crime, dog fighting, prostitution, etc. It's a drug and crime infested ghost town with rampant insurmountable problems, and that change took about 3 decades.
We've had 'corrections' in the recent past (~2001, 2005, 2008) when various 'bubbles' burst. These small corrections collapsed the markets. What happens when a REAL financial collapse happens? We're facing insurmountable problems. Declining dollar. Peak oil (oil is what most of our prosperity is based on). Called debts. Future war with REAL opponents, not 3rd world armpits. And on and on and on... As a nation, few leaders have the fortitude and ability to change course. So... it's not a matter of "IF" but "WHEN..."
Again, we have a $17 Trillion national debt, with some $100 Trillion in unfunded liabilities. There isn't enough money in the world to repay our unfunded liabilities. That's worth repeating. There isn't enough money in the world to repay our unfunded liabilities. As a nation, we have borrowed MORE in the last few years than in he combined HISTORY of our nation. Each working person owes $125,000 in Federal debt.
Think about America and why we became a world power. We made stuff. We were fiscally responsible. We innovated. Most of the major innovations came from the United States in the 20th Century. Most of our nation pulled together and was patriotic and made selfless sacrifices for family and nation. People never expected handouts. We took care of our old within the family. We expected to work hard. We won wars decisively. And we used our resources wisely. When we had hard times, we pulled through working together and making things. Our kids got jobs and worked hard. Look at our youth today. That is our future. Alarming drugs, crime, lack of morality, and lack of education (government education is among the worst in the 1st world), lack of self-reliance skills.
Now, the opposite of success is our global model. Corruption. Debt. Handouts. Destroyed middle class. Tossing grandma into retirement homes. A youth that does not appear up to the task of the greatest generation which built our nation. Lack of national morality. Destroyed global reputation with foolish wars that were either lost, stalemates and never worth the sacrifices, etc. Oh, and this isn't just Leadcounsel pontificating on our decline. History repeats itself. Global superpowers fell (or lost most of its world influence) includes an impressive list: Rome, England (once owned 4/5ths of the world), Russia, etc.. The common theme: Debt. War. Poor leadership. Lack of national direction or integrity. Sad part is, the majority of American adults care more about "Reality TV" and the football score... and looking for handouts... asleep at the wheel.
Anyone who thinks that this is just Chicken Little - be honest and answer why we, America, is different than all of the previous failed nations who did the same stuff we are deep in... what makes us special to avoid falling off the cliff?
How is this gun related. Well, I think investing in physical, tangible items/tools is going to pay off in OUR future more than some worthless paper ownership in some company in a far off state - when that company may be cooking books or subject to arbitrary taxes and laws that may negatively impact it; and when the value of your assets fluctuate up and down as much as 50% in a moment due to some event in a foreign land, terrorism, lawsuits, and on and on and on.
There are reports that with the rising cost of college, that it's not worth the investment. Pick a tradeschool instead. Some very successful people didn't graduate from college, including Bill Gates.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/08/05/college-students-loans-debt-column/2616761/
My advice is to buy cheap and stack deep. I fear the childs' life will be harder than picking which college to attend. Yes, guns and accessories and ammo fluctuate. But as any smart financial person will tell you, buy low. NOW is the time to buy guns, ammo and accessories low. I just saw advertisements for $8 AR mags, $700 AR15s, $600 AK47s, etc. This is a downward 'dip' in the market.
In the past, traditional investments *may* have been the way to go. I say that, because lets not forget there were a LOT of losers in the past too, not just winners. However in the FUTURE, I firmly believe that REAL self-reliance skills and knowing how to use your hands AND brains will be more important than some $200,000 degree on the wall. I'd much rather be given an AR15 and 1000 rounds of ammo and a few mags than *potentially* some cash (around $1900 as described above, which won't even make a dent in a college education) - if it's worth anything in 16 years.
There's more than just "resale" value in a firearm. It's a life saving tool, good for self defense, deterrence, hunting, and freedom. Guns are frankly underpriced for what they are, and should be about 10 times what they cost. Someday there will be a 'market correction' and their true value will be clear.
Last edited:
- Status
