[tugboat]

Not being very astute in financial matters, the myriad of investment options and suggestions is a little overwhelming. The feeling I'm getting from Peakoil.com and other sites is that 2006 is going to be an interesting year. I would like to stay liquid for the time being but do not want to hold the majority of my savings in US dollars. I think China et al. are going to slap our wrists at some point this year. I hope it is not a knock down punch because no one would benefit from a global collapse. I'm inclined to go with metals and euros for the time being. The movement away from petrodollars seems to be popping up more and more. And with heads of states in the middle and far east making more and more deals amongst themselves - the decline of the dollar seems inevitable. I do believe in america and it's people, it's the current leadership that scares the crap out of me!

[Pfish]

Tug:

Good question. One I have been asking myself. I know here in San Diego, the economy has cooled. Home sales are down. I see many "For Sale" signs up all over the neighborhood. More than anything else, I base my take on one thing: not as much traffic on Highway 5 in the morning as there has been for the last 3-4 years. Pretty easy commute. I think it is a wait and see with what happens with Iran. As much as the US doesn't want to admit it, war is good for the economy. Always has been. But a war on four fronts (Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and the Democrats?) The only thing I would make sure of is make sure your investments don't include anything with derivatives. Just my 2 cents....

[LadyRuby]

This is such a hard issue, one I've been thinking about for the past year or so, and making some changes in our investments.

One thing that complicates things for me is that my spouse is sympathetic to my concerns but not totally on board. After talking to him at length about all of this some months ago he acquiesced (for the most part).

My big concern is that we still have a hefty mortgage to pay off (otherwise debt free, and paying our mortage down at an accelerated rate, but it will still be about 12 years). I want to make sure that in the worst case scenario and neither of us have jobs that we can still meet our mortgage. Which could mean taking money out of retirement accounts (despite penalties). I would love to take out everything and pay off our mortage now (which we could almost do, but we'd have a lot of penalties) but my husband says no go to that one and he may have a point.

So we've shifted funds around. Before shifting we had the great majority of retirement funds in traditional stock-based mutual funds, heavily leaning toward the financial and information technology sector. So here's how our (mostly retirement) investments are now allocated:

~60% in money market type funds
~20% in high risk mututal funds (energy, metals, etc.)
~10% in inflation protected bond funds
~10% in individual stocks (mostly risky alt. energy, which haven't paid off yet but may in the future as we need to look toward alternatives).

We'll probably keep it that way for at least another year or two until the picture is clearer. I have no idea whether we're going to see a recession, inflation, deflation, financial collapse, or economic growth. Too many unknowns but I'd rather be more rather than less conservative in the near-term.

[Revi]

I have no idea on what to do. Is the Canadian dollar a good bet? I like land still. a good garden spot could get you through hard times. You can always cut wood to heat your house. Mc Mansions have clearly tanked, though. What is safe? Is there a safe place to invest? Was there ever?

[tugboat]

I sold my house in East Hampton , NY a few years ago and have been looking to buy something ever since. But with all I'm seeing about the real estate bubble about to break - it doesn't make any sense to do so now. (I"m in no hurry). Other than a small retirement fund, my assests are sitting in the bank. Eventually, it would appear that renewables and certainly commodities will be good investments but if there is a large drop in the US dollar- won't the corresponding markets - stocks, commodities etc. also drop across the board regardless of what they physically are ? Alot of people are saying metals are high but it seems Middle East and Asian countries are still buying. There seems to be too much going on for things to remain status quo for any length of time. I work on a large yacht at the present moment and alot of times cannot access my funds for weeks or more at a time. I don't want to be sitting somewhere in the world watching the dollar go south and not be able to do anything about it. Thus my interest in metals or another currency for now. Any suggestions, comments or input are much appreciated.

[bob_loblaw]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pfish', 'T')ug:

.......... As much as the US doesn't want to admit it, war is good for the economy. Always has been. ....

[dbarberic]

I too am trying to stay liquid, but my largest concern is inflation (through US$ debasement) that is going to wipe out any savings that is held in only US$. I've moved some of my cash to gold bullon and international currency CD's by Everbank.com.

[LadyRuby]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('tugboat', 'I') sold my house in East Hampton , NY a few years ago and have been looking to buy something ever since. But with all I'm seeing about the real estate bubble about to break - it doesn't make any sense to do so now. (I"m in no hurry). Other than a small retirement fund, my assests are sitting in the bank. Eventually, it would appear that renewables and certainly commodities will be good investments but if there is a large drop in the US dollar- won't the corresponding markets - stocks, commodities etc. also drop across the board regardless of what they physically are ? Alot of people are saying metals are high but it seems Middle East and Asian countries are still buying. There seems to be too much going on for things to remain status quo for any length of time. I work on a large yacht at the present moment and alot of times cannot access my funds for weeks or more at a time. I don't want to be sitting somewhere in the world watching the dollar go south and not be able to do anything about it. Thus my interest in metals or another currency for now. Any suggestions, comments or input are much appreciated.

[rockdoc123]

folks...I think I've said this before...but I believe it is worth saying again....get you to a fincial advisor/investment person. The problem with funds are they do OK in certain situations and then go under in others, and generally most of your profits are sucked up in the front end/back end load.]. You put your money in there and have zero control over what the guys who run the fund do...if they are asleep at the wheel or using your money to do their own thing it is not a good thing. Get yourself someone who does this for a living, who will only put you into investments he is in as well. Ethically he will not be able to decrease his position until he has given you the opportunity to do so. I did the mutual fund thing for a while, never again. Funds tend to eventually run with the market which means there is a lot of the time when your invested money will actually be worth less.
My view here is in a peak approaching oil world, especially one where there is considerable political influence on global economies you need to be active in the market......most of us don't have the time...get someone working for you who does. I really believe it's a story of accumulate and protect.....repeat and repeat again.

[DesertBear2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rockdoc123', 'f')olks...I think I've said this before...but I believe it is worth saying again....get you to a fincial advisor/investment person.

[tugboat]

Thanks - I haven't had a lot of luck with financial advisors - most of them seem more interested in their own fortunes. I'm doing alot of reading and research now, hence this post. I'm checking out Everbank.com (thank you dBarberic) and I came across GoldMoney.com where your money is kept in gold but can be used as cash - anyone have experience with them? And no my cash is not under the mattress ! but it is dwindling away sitting in the bank.

[Revi]

Tugboat,

Why not prepare a bug-out spot? A bug-out earth bermed house with passive and active solar about an hour from where you live now. It may turn out to be the best investment you ever made. Who cares about the real estate market if you are sitting by a fire, drinking a cup of hot herb tea while the world goes to hell? That's real security.

[LadyRuby]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('DesertBear2', 'B')e prepared for a constant bullish outlook from these folks. They are in sales and a bullish outlook is necessary to keep the clients positive and ready to buy- keep those commissions coming in. Don't expect them to call you when the investment they put you into is preparing to tank. Or to be ahead of the curve on such things as credit bubbles, peak oil, or avian flu.

[tugboat]

Revi,
I am hunkered down right now on a 177 ft yacht that holds 20,000 gals of fuel and can travel anywhere in the world. I have satellite internet and phone access and we have a 5 star chef aboard. I think that when things start changing they are not going to effect the owners of the yacht very much, in fact they'll probably increase their fortunes. What I would like to do is not see my hard earned money disappear; so I can eventually invest in a few acres and set up an off grid (if needed) homestead where my friends and family can call home if the sh*t hits the fan. On another note - can anyone recommend an offshore or foreign banking system that is not directly affiliated with the US system?

[Revi]

Tugboat,
If you want a spot to land on I know about a nice little piece of waterfront land on Long Cove on Swans Island. Talk to Belinda at Burnt Coat Harbor realty. It has a freshwater stream running through it and faces Southeast. It may make a good place to build that place you are thinking of. Keep it quiet if you don't buy it. Any port in a storm!

[Revi]

Tugboat,

Here's a link to the site that has the land. Type in 04685 under zip code, it'll take you to all the listings:

http://ellsworthmaine.com/site/index.ph ... &Itemid=35