One can take physical possession of gold and gold has a long history of retaining value. Buy at the top of the bubble and get burned, but usually gold settles back to a level significantly above the trading range prior to the bubble. Silver might hold its value even better, but the weight of an amount of silver equivalent in value to a pound of gold is over forty pounds, so portability is an issue.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."