[dataway]

Most good financial advisors will tell you that precious metals and hard assets are not "investments" they are an inflation hedge. I have accumulated some physical silver ... but I would never consider it an investment, it's far closer to emergency preparedness. In the unlikely event that the world as we know it collapses ... it MAY serve as currency. In the meantime, if it tickles your fancy .. buy low and take it out every now and then and stack it up for fun. You'll never get rich on silver unless you buy a million ounces, and if you can afford a million ounces you are already rich.

My wife and I have kept a stock portfolio for 25 years, one side conservative municipal bonds and such, the other half slightly higher risk equities. It now returns very close to six figures a year, which is all reinvested and has been for 25 years. We use a financial advisor that has been working with our family for 30+ years. My wife and I have had modest incomes our entire lives, lived within our means, believe strongly in sweat equity and within about two years will be retiring ( I'm 63, she is 55) very comfortably, more comfortable than we ever imagined 25 years ago.

Just like your personal health, eat right, exercise, everything in moderation. No dramatic diets, no crazy exercise routines, basic healthy food .... finances are the same way, the boring old fashion way works.