How to Invest in Gold? The Ultimate Guide to Gold Investment

For centuries, savvy investors have been aware of the importance of gold as part of a well balanced portfolio. In addition to offering wealth diversification, gold is a world renowned safe haven for investors offering the ultimate insurance and protection against turbulent economic times.

History illustrates that gold is a timeless asset, not only proving to be a successful
preserver of wealth, but high gold prices and record demand has ensured it has
outperformed most other forms of investment.

Following the financial crisis of 2008, the world is once again faced with unprecedented economic uncertainty with the global Covid-19 pandemic. The response of central banks
to this threat has seen money-printing reach new levels, with national debts spiralling to
peace-time records for many countries, and creating a new risk of inflation.

Gold climbed to a new all-time high in August 2020, and despite pulling back since
remains high on the back of investor demand. Low interest rates and inflation both
offer good support for gold to make further potential gains in the months and years
ahead that could see 2020s record beaten.

Meanwhile, the fallout of Brexit, the US-China trade war, deteriorating relationships in the Middle East and climate change all present major economic challenges still to come for the global economy. Gold then offers a vital safe haven, and is a welcome addition to any diverse portfolio.

How to Buy Gold?

The guide provides essential reading for all investors. If you've never bought gold before
then we can help explain how to invest in gold for beginners. Even seasoned investors
can benefit though, and this guide is packed with must read information and advice on
how to invest in gold coins and bars, including why buy gold, and where to buy gold.

The guide also looks into bars vs coins, gold vs silver, the benefits of owning physical gold
over paper and electronic gold, and much more.

Why Invest in Gold?

In order to know if gold is a good investment, it is important to understand why people buy
gold. In times of economic uncertainty and instability, buying gold makes more sense than
other assets. With confidence in the banking system and worldwide economy at an all-time
low, gold bullion could be the ultimate insurance and should act as an essential part of
everybody’s investment portfolio.

With the famous yellow metal in greater demand than ever, there are many reasons why
people should buy gold. Owning gold could be the ultimate way to preserve your wealth, and
possibly make a healthy return in these uncertain times. It’s an age old question which people
have been asking for centuries – where is my money really safe? And more and more people
are now choosing the oldest answer: GOLD.

Read more about the benefits of buying gold.

Why Buy Physical Gold? Physical Gold Vs ETFs

As the old saying goes; if you don't hold it, you don't own it. There really are numerous
benefits of physically holding your gold in your hands, as opposed to buying electronic
gold (ETF) or paper gold. In these unpredictable economic times of banking instability,
low interest rates, underperforming currency markets, volatile stocks and repeated
rounds of printing money, gold offers a welcome safeguard to the turbulence.

However not any form of gold, but physical gold. Physical gold is a timeless asset which
will always have a value and always lasts the test of time. Holding physical gold bars
and/or gold coins provides the ultimate control and insurance for your wealth against
financial crisis in an underperforming wider economy.

Read more about the benefits of owning physical gold.

Where to Buy Gold?

Research is everything. Your decision to buy gold online wouldn’t have been taken lightly and
should be backed by your own research. Much the same, when it comes to selecting your
chosen bullion dealer, again research is vital. The Internet is the best place to conduct your
research. The Internet holds information about the impartial experiences, opinions and
recommendations of millions of people all around the world. It sounds obvious, but why not
start your research by simply typing in the bullion dealers brand name into Google. The
Internet really is the world's largest open forum in which companies have no control. It will
become quickly apparent if a bullion dealer has a negative online reputation, in which case
they should be avoided at all costs.

Read more about where to buy gold.

When to Invest in Gold?

Looking back at historical data, in hindsight it is easy to identify 2005/06 as a great time to buy
gold bullion before the constant rises when the price of gold stood at just £250 T/OZ. Again in
2007/08 the UK banking crisis offered another great opportunity to jump onto the gold bandwagon
with the gold price standing at around £350 T/OZ. Some of the most common questions heard
now on a daily basis are; is it too late to buy gold? And; how much longer can the gold price
continue to rise?

Unfortunately, there's no exact science to knowing when to buy gold, but there are lots of effective
and timeless techniques and indicators that most successful investors use to help them and look
out for.

Read more about the best time to buy gold.

Gold Bars Vs Gold Coins?

Whether you’re new to bullion investment or not, deciding whether to invest in bullion bars
or bullion coins should take some consideration. Before making this decision, it would be
advisable that you conduct your research as there is no definitive right or wrong answer, it
will vary depending on the needs and circumstances of the individual investor. However,
as when making any other investment there are several factors to consider including: the
value of your investment and the product premiums, how long you plan on holding your gold,
how you will store it, taxation and how you plan on realising the value of your investment.

Read more about gold bars versus coins.

Should I Buy Gold & Silver?

Many investors spend time deciding whether to buy gold or buy silver, however the savviest
investors own both. Whereas gold could offer the ultimate insurance and protection against
uncertain economic times, silver is a more speculative investment. Despite gold and silver
both being commonly invested precious metals, silver is an entirely different investment which
can realise substantial profits despite the initial VAT outlay. It’s because of these differences
that owning both gold and silver together can be of benefit.

Read more about the benefits of owning silver.

Is Bullion Subject to VAT?

The good news is investment grade gold is VAT-free. This includes all the gold bullion bars and
coins on our website. However, unlike gold, VAT is payable on silver at your local tariff rate, making
silver a more long term, speculative investment. However, due to the volatile nature of the silver
price, returns are often quickly realised. If you are VAT registered and think you may be able to
claim your VAT back, then we advise you speak to your Accountant.

Read more about paying VAT on silver.

Where Should I Store my Gold?

The physical possession and control of your bullion is one of the main benefits of investing in gold
bullion bars and coins over electronic or paper gold, however you must consider where to store
your gold. There really is no one correct answer, the truth is you can do with it as you please and
can store it where you like; it really is down to personal preference. Storing gold bullion really isn’t
anything new; people have been successfully storing gold and silver bullion for centuries and is
particularly common in Germany and India.

On a basic level there are four different options; allocated storage, a bank safety deposit box, a home
safe or be a bit more creative.

Why Buy Gold Online at BullionByPost?