How to Invest in Gold

An ETF that invests in gold-related companies is Market Vectors Gold Miners (which trades on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol GDX). This ETF replicates the AMEX Gold Miners index, which is an index of mostly gold and silver mining companies.

Gold Coins

Now, ETFs and mutual funds aren't the only ways to invest in gold. Some people like to own gold directly and invest in gold coins. If you do buy coins, it's really important that you do your homework first and buy them from a reputable dealer. You'll also want to store them safely by keeping them in a safe deposit box, for example.

If you have concerns that the government could once again confiscate gold owned by individuals like FDR did back in 1933, you might be most comfortable investing in pre-1933 U.S. gold coins. These coins are considered to be collectibles and, by law, are exempt from confiscation.

Remember to Take It Easy

Lastly, if you are investing in or thinking about investing in gold, it's important not to go overboard because the price of gold can fluctuate a lot. For those of you who want to see how the price of gold has fluctuated over the years, here's a link to create charts that shows the price of gold since 1975.

So here's wishing you happy investing and golden returns.

Cha-ching! That's all for now, courtesy of Money Girl, your guide to a richer life.