Yesterday I posed the question of how you’d allocate your funds between four choices: Berkshire Hathaway (Buffett) bonds, Brazilian government bonds, gold and diamonds. Surprisingly, no one took me to task for setting such narrow parameters. But there were some interesting responses. Here are some of them.
When I was younger I had first a dentist, then a chiropractor that were both Jewish immigrants originally from Europe during WWII. They both impressed upon me the fact that their families had gotten out of Europe by sewing small bits of precious metals and jewels into the lining of their clothing which they then used to bribe their way out. At the time I dismissed it as ridiculous and for people who had lived before we became more civilized. More fair and accepting. No one would let such atrocities happen again I thought to myself. Now I’m not so sure.
Good point. Money is not wealth. But you’re more likely to be able to use something tangible in a pinch than, say, a bill of exchange.
Hi Daniel,
Any allocation can only be a guess, real crystal ball stuff. My suggestion is:
Buffet bonds 40%
Gold 30%
Brazilian govt. bonds 20%
Diamonds 10%
Or not… who knows? And thanks for your interesting articles.
Tim S
You’re quite welcome Tim. Not knowing is the best reason to have a diversified portfolio and an asset allocation strategy. It’s your concession that the world can constantly surprise you. But you have to start somewhere.
Hi Dan,
I’d go for:
Gold – for security 40%
Diamonds – to diversify 10%
Buffet bonds – for security 40%
Brazil bonds – speculative 10%
Regards
Colin
From the school of “put all your eggs in one basket and carefully watch that basket”:
Gold hands down
Sent from my iPhone
Gold, diamonds, Buffett bonds, Brazilian bonds in that order. I can’t see gold remaining anywhere but top of the list for the foreseeable future, for all the reasons that have been enumerated over the past 12 months. The world financial system is going down the tubes and it will probably take the DOW with it and why I put WB only above the Brazilian Government.
Chris
The last issue is, to me, the most interesting one. Of financial assets, which one is likely to emerge from the next financial crisis with the most value in tact?
Hi Mr Denning,
You are hoping for a future of mass unemployment, millions losing pensions including state pension and civil disorder and riots. Is that what you hope for?
Mr Newman
Certainly not. But it’s a fair point. If you’re planning for a bleak future in which civilisation takes a holiday for a while, your asset allocation strategy will be the least of your worries. But that is, perhaps, the point: how durable is your wealth? How portable?
Owning shares in productive enterprises is the best way to grow your wealth over time. But when you’re living and investing at the tail-end of a great credit and value-distorting credit bubble, you have to at least consider modifying your strategy.
I wouldn’t wish unemployment and destitution on anyone. My primary goal is to make sure it doesn’t happen to me and my family. And the people I work with are determined to make sure it doesn’t happen to our readers – even if that’s just arming you with better information and an awareness that bad things are possible and happen all the time.
Category: Economics