BiggerPockets

Move to another country?

Seriously, you can't... all you can do is guess.

Some would say invest in US Bonds as their returns would rise as the Gov't struggles... of course the Gov't could just default on them all.

Some would stay use the stock market as inflation should push those returns higher. Of course we all know how volatile the stock market is and should realize by now that would "should" happen isn't always what "does" happen.

Some would say go with precious metals but I have no clue how you really value a pretty rock. It has no intrinsic value outside of some small manufacturing so who's to say it's really worth $1,700 an ounce or closer to $3 a pound like the dirt in my backyard?

Some like the real estate play, cash flow or appreciation. Same argument as the stock market, inflation should drive up rental returns and appreciate home values giving you a hedge against rising costs.

Others keep it simple... food stocks... and ammo :)

Get out of that 401k as quickly as possible - IRS Code 72t.

Buy real estate that cash flows, recruit good management.

Protect your family and cash in financial instruments that are difficult for govt confiscation - life insurance, annuities - avoid saving in traditional banks.

Minimize your tax footprint - avoid all tax deferred strategies. Pay tax on the seed not the harvest.

The worse the home ownership market gets, the better the rental market gets. Check occupancy and rental rate trends in your area.

How about this? Turn off Fox news and don't worry about it so much.
You have just experienced 3 years of relatively horrible economic times in this country and you are still on pace for a nice retirement. And NOW you are worried? If thee was a time to worry about gov't economic policies, it was 04,05,06,07. News channels and "public opinion" are the ultimate lagging indicators. That has been proven in studies time and time again but we ignore that fact because they rile us up for their own political and business purposes.
All they do is try to spook you with crazy **** so you keep glued to the tube and vote their way. News channels are in the news Business, with a small "n" and a big "B". It is never as bad or as good as they say it is.

People who predict crazy things like the rapture, the end of the world, the end of America as we know it, stocks going to zero, and who use extreme language make for good TV and good church but have ALWAYS been wrong. They ALWAYS say it is different this time and they are always wrong. So why do we keep listening?

We are not Greece, we are not Italy. We are not ancient Rome. We are not even close. There is no comparison. Even when we are down, we are still a giant in the world. They still buy the **** our of our currency and bonds whenever anything bad happens. Did they ever do that with Greece or Italy? No.

Things go up and down....always have...always will. Take reasonable measures (diversify) that have been appropriate for many decades and move on with your life.

The more you worry about the government and how it affects your life...the more it affects your life! Why don't people understand that?
If your desire to avoid government influence and/or taxes determines what you do for a living or where you live or how you live your life, then you are giving the government control your life. Don't give it that power over you. Live where you want and be what you want to be in your life, without regard to the government, pay the cost and forget about it. That is true freedom.

You are incredibly lucky to be living in the US, which is by far the most stable and resilient large economy in the world and overall the most free large country in the world. There is greater "opportunity" here than in every other country combined. The rest of the world knows that, but somehow we have a hard time seeing it. Could it be because we are spoiled?

You are rare in the world to be able to have a retirement at all, now you are worried about how cushy it is. Just enjoy it and stop worrying.

Eric, I was looking for the Mega Vote button. I guess BP doesn't operate like some third world countries... vote early, vote often. Well, you get the first one at least.

Hi, Jon, where can I find that information (occupancy and rental rate trends)?

Well Eric's thoughts are in good intentions, you should believe some of the news. The US IS headed towards a horrible collapse. You are smart to want to want to protect your retirement. And although I may not be good in real estate (yet). I'm a knowledgeable in economics. I don't want to make a crazy long post so here is where you can get good, reliable, accurate information on the economy and where we are headed:

Peter Schiff: This is his YouTube channel, take a look at his videos, especially on gold. Gold is a great investment now and probably for a while.

http://www.youtube.com/user/schiffreport

This is all you need practically.

Also, Ron Paul, he's great at predicting the US economic problems. He's also running for president and will probably win the Iowa caucus Jan 3rd. I'm voting for him. He is very consistent and trust worthy. He also wants to end the Fed. As does Peter Schiff.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ronpaul

Believe the reliable propaganda. 2007 is nothing compared to what is coming. The only problem is we don't know if it's going to come 2012, 2013, etc.. but it's coming with the decade (10 years). Your welcome!

Hopefully the next lecturer knows the difference between "your" and "you're" though.

Hopefully the next person who comments has the decency to not be a snob and use euphemism to take a silent hit at someones use of words.

Hopefully the next person who makes a stab at someone, can, without the use of a fallacy, but that's wishful thinking.

I'm out before I have to defend myself with more logic. And if you want to correct your grammar Mr. Snob, put a space after your horrible use of an ellipsis. Your, you're, you are, welcome. :D

Protection from the government:

MONEY, LAWYERS and GUNS.

In that order.

Having knowledge and skills is about the best you can do if you don't have money, lawyers and guns - until you do.

The question is not so much how to protect yourself from the government, because such a thing does not exist. Whatever you think, you are, as an individual, completely helpless against the will of the government. So the question really is, how do I live in my society, such as it is. I suppose Rich's approach, vigilance, awareness and diversification is about the best you can do.

For my peace of mind, I don't pay much attention to the news. I agree that by the time something makes it to prime time TV and it affects you negatively, your already screwed if you didn't already know. Besides, the one granule of useful info to be had from mass audience news is not worth listening to the story of the mother who brutally killed her baby 500 times a day every day only to be replaced by the guy who shot his family and then himself around the Christmas tree.

Manuel,

I find your comments somewhat perplexing given your post asking advice on starting your investing career. In that post you state that you are a "broke as a joke" college student. As your predictions of doom are so strong and certain, I was wondering why you would even consider starting an investment career and where your theories of impending doom come from?