The first has some merit. I don't know about the second....
Silver is a hedge against currency collapse. How you would use or spend it is another matter.
But it can be fractional. As cut coins were in the past. It can be bought in fractionally arranged design/pours. Kinda like a chocolate bar can be. Break off a gram for example.
The odds of an an ounce of silver having a proven tangible value , and that value being understood by someone you are bartering with has to be factored.
If the internet is available , great.
Otherwise a bag of old dimes is worth the dimes it contains. Vs silver value.
Too much silver reduces it's portability. That's where gold comes in.
But an ounce of gold (and of course smaller amounts are possible) at a gas station would be an interesting attempt of acceptance , let alone getting any change....
No interest is gained on storing precious metals. It can gain in value. Just as it can decrease. When it is appreciating in value , is a rough time to be buying.
A gradual accumulation makes sense over time. Decades even.
Not sure about pulling funds from social security. Whatever that means. If you are receiving payments from social security I'd consider it as income /budget.
If budget allows , a small percentage of it can go to investing. Depending on budget.
I started with old "junk" silver coins. Not a bag of them or anything. Just some over time at a slight premium over melt value.
And when silver was priced lower , silver rounds in one ounce size.
What percentage of your portfolio should be in precious metals should (in theory) not be based on current values. But on precious metals intrinsic value (look for real value vs perceived).
Only my opinion.
But keep portability ,securing it from theft ,and market fluctuation trends in mind.
"A little" suits most logic.
Too much becomes a burden. Depending on ones definition of too much...
And risks too many eggs in one basket instead of diversity.
There are other things the market has not jumped on that can be considered long term investments should a monetary system wobble too much.
What tools do you find indispensable? (Don't answer , but if you had a couple spares stored properly , would they be of value in a fractured market ? In a year? Ten years?)
A "new" shovel you bought ten years ago would be cheaper (in theory) ten years ago. You didn't earn interest on that money though. And had to store the shovel. Plus portability...You move or walk away for example.
What long term terms of what items or material held value over time based on actual value today? Can it be speculated what tomorrow's realized gain in value will be?
I'm not suggesting shovels. Only as an example. If we see them used enough a replacement is inevitable. And should a demand arise when shovels are scarce as a result , they gain multiple values.
In hindsite after considering past trends , rather to have a couple shovels from decades ago stored well , than a few beanie babies to barter with.
Looking forward and backwards in trend and value and speculating on future values (monetary,or barter,or using for another purpose , Silver catches the attention of some investors. And for others that "hedge". Should the financial world go off the rails. While it's mere diversity of portfolio for yet others.
For the going off the rails concerns , it would take much more than silver to help an individual endure. But a small amount wouldn't (in theory) hurt.
So if you ever have more than a small amount. Keep it secure , and a secret.
