If you plan on diversifying your portfolio, a great way of doing so is through gold. There are a variety of methods for you to start with, each with its own pros and cons. Bullion and coins are the most common methods, but other ways you can start investing with the precious metal is through market exchanges via ETFs, investing on gold mining firms, and purchase/sale of gold futures.

Gold investing – Do Your Research

Determine the best kind of gold to purchase for your budget, time frame and long-term needs. Typically, the answer for that is physical gold like bullion, bars, and coins. This decision relies on how much cash you have to devote to purchasing gold and why you are buying it as an investment tool. If you have adequate money, gold bars are ideal. This form of gold can be as minute as 1/2 ounce bars or as massive as 1 kilo bars. Buying gold bars of such intense sizes are a rare case, though.

Gold – Browse Prices

Look around for the best price, which by best means the most affordable one. This is important, as prices can have very small but substantial differences. The less  gold you purchase, for instance, the greater the cost for every gram or ounce of it. Because of manufacturing expenses and other variables, a gold bar can cost twice or thrice as much as the price of gold. But a bigger bar will have a more reasonable cost adhered to the value of the precious metal. The cost you see being displayed online or from business channels is not really the precise cost. It is actually the cost of gold futures.

Find a Seller

Once you’ve identified the type of gold you wish to purchase, the next riddle you’ll have to figure out is where to purchase it. Dealers are often the costliest source of gold. With some patience and dedication though, you can find some sweet deals on eCommerce sites. However, you should expect the process to consume loads of time and labor. Furthermore, you’ll have to confirm if the article being sold is real, and not some hoax. Approach the manner diligently when using the Internet to find a good deal and dealer.

Collect at Intervals

The best means of investing in gold is collecting some at set intervals, despite the value. Every month (or two, if that’s better for you), make it a point to make a new purchase. The value could favorably fluctuate after a month or two. It doesn’t really matter, as what matters is the consistency you practice as a gold investor. Gold will flatten out and tend to increase for the long run as the price of gold goes up against currency’s value.

Investing in gold is more complicated than it looks on business shows and news channels. Nonetheless, the potential profits you can gain make it worthwhile. Regardless, whether you’re a seasoned investor or someone without any experience whatsoever, gold is a reliable way of acquiring savings with a near guarantee of returns for the long haul.

Paul Jendy has studied online at the best marketing colleges and  writes about finance, economics and education.