Gold is one of the safest investments around. It can withstand share market crashes, war, political strife, and even economic meltdowns. When all paper money is burnt and all electronic money deleted, gold will remain.

If you have a precious few, you can wear them or hide them away in your sock and later give them to your children. If you have a lot of it, thieves can't just cart it away (and neither can you, for that matter).

Of course, with all investments, the same rules apply. Buy low, sell high. Start following the prices to have an idea of when to go in. It is essential to know how the market is doing and how it relates to gold prices. In general, there is a direct relationship between war and gold prices. When there is a war, gold prices rise.

But if you prefer not to expend the time and energy, save your cash and wait for the papers to announce, "gold prices plunge" and then buy.

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