It was a home invasion and I was targeted by the people I was investigating. Not in the US, though it happends here, too. You are correct about blending in, another tip is to carry fake ID and credit cards in a wallet to give robbers--keep the real stuff not in a wallet.

I quite agree with the folks who worry about stashing paper money. I wouldn't do it, as I could wind up with a stack of toilet paper at the whim of government. Precious metals have their drawbacks as well--silver, in particular can be bulky to store (though probably better for day to day transactions in an emergency than gold).

We all face a question: what is a small, universal commodity that will retain its value more or less indefinitely? The answer to that will vary with circumstance. In a complete economic collapse, someone with food in a hungry nation is unlikely to want to trade it for precious metals, which simply won't be all that precious any more.

One stray thought: during at least part of World War II, some aircrew and other personnel who might well end up stranded far beyond enemy lines were issued what appeared to be a small block of rubber as part of their survival kits. Inside the block were several gold coins and two or three simple gold rings. Vanity just might create value even when hunger puts a damper on anything that could be considered a "normal" economy.

Another weird thought: what about penicillin and other basic but essential drugs? How long can they be stored? For the moment, at least, a lot of veterinary drugs can be purchased without a prescription and at relatively low costs. MOST (not all) are the same stuff we usually get from a pharmacist. It might be worth looking into.

Maybe buy some shares in a tech-savvy security firm?

The banking system is MUCH shadier than most people, even here, realize. Hiding thefts like this is in every bank's best interests, and the fractional reserve system makes it relatively easy [ http://youtu.be/1HYSMxu-Dns ].

By the way, are you aware that you no longer "deposit" your money in the bank? For a few years now, when you put funds in the bank you are technically *loaning* the bank your money, and instead of being a _Depositor_ who MUST be repaid, you are now a _Creditor_ who, should the bank fail, must stand in line behind the bank's landlord and cleaning service in *hopes* that the court will give you a reasonable portion of your money back out of the bank's actual assets.
[ http://bit.ly/Bail-In ]

Your cash ain't nothin' but trash ... [ http://youtu.be/KdFGbJBi6e8 ]

I could pull all my money out, but in what form? Paper money could be rendered valueless, at the government's discretion, but gold coin is rather difficult to spend around here.
I guess we'll just have to take our chances.

This story sounds similar to the letter I recently received, concerning online purchases of some computer games.
It seems that some hacker installed malware into the company's server and was attempting to steal credit card info from purchasers, during their transactions. The outfit found and removed the malware, but sent letters out to all affected customers, as a precaution. They also offered a complementary year's membership in an ID protection service from one of the big three credit reporting agencies (Experian, I believe).
This incident just occurred, which is why I think it might even be connected.

We were just taking with our broker about where to stash savings, and it is not just electronic fraud, but government. With D.C. talking about taking over savings accounts along with pensions and IRA funds, where to keep anything you earned safe becomes a big issue. My husband says we might as well spend it before they take it. Cars and jewelry sound good. Remodel the house, oops, Agenda 21 coming for that one too, and maybe the cars. The can in the yard is sounding better, except the new money can be tracked from a van on your street. What to do?

A nosy Big Brother and online crooks are two reasons I shun doing any business online.
There are a couple exceptions but I prefer to keep a low online profile.

Glad you survived... sounds to me like something made you or your wife (or both) stand out to the bad guys as "easy marks"... wrong neighborhood, wrong place, wrong attire for where you were, lack of situational awareness, I don't know. I've carryed huge amounts of Ø (or $) into some dicey areas, but I (a) blend in to the environment, and (2) have my spidey senses on full.

True that - a SD box can be ordered opened by the court - the Roosevelt Gold Grab set the precedent for that one. If it's not in your hand, then it's not in your hand, no matter what the banks promise.

I do not believe one word that this theft took place. If it did we would have heard from people at least all over the USA of this breach. There must be something behind all of this for government to get more control over the funds of individuals when the funds are in banks. Maybe people should start thinking about getting coffee cans and dig holes.

Electronic fraud is not even the decisive factor. Physical possession is the only way to own anything without having to rely on the good will and ability to deliver of another. Even placing something in a bank safety deposit box does not qualify as physical possession.

You have to like the fact that he is wearing a Peter Weyland - Yutani Corp t-shirt. "Building better Worlds"

If you can't hold it, you don't have posession!

I was robbed a few months ago with a gun pressed against my head and a knife across the neck of my wife, I am happy (1) to be alive and (2) that I was not carrying much for the robber to take. I am not sure what the answer will be, but carrying your wealth does not look like a good option to me.

Riding shotgun sounds like a good shrug job, don't you think? ;)

Physical possession in the form of Au coins will be preferable. Will you be riding shotgun?