Gold was out when the seventies ended, but the loss of confidence in paper money has sent it soaring once more. Investors who missed the metal's recent rise should not despair: There's still plenty time to get in on the action. Here's how.
With gold trading at around $1,600 an ounce, this most precious of metals seems to many like a smart investment. And if you have a television, you've doubtless seen ads encouraging you to buy physical gold. But think twice: Owning bullion can be more trouble than it's worth, and alternatives exist.
Gold recently smashed through the $1,400 an ounce level, and seems to be setting new records every day. Many people are interested in getting in on the gold craze, but what's the best way to invest? DailyFinance's Dan Burrows hit the streets to find out how people are buying the yellow metal -- and discusses a simple way to follow suit.
Shares of silver are up 40% this year, compared to just over 20% for gold. But a statement from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Tuesday could rattle prices and investors considering adding silver to their portfolios.