Well, its another year in the books. 2023 was a mostly quiet year. Didn’t have any tremendous disasters, I’m still alive, house is still standing, truck is still running, still have a job, and I didn’t have to use my AK. (But the Glock……..)
I crossed a few things off my wish list this year…the Barrett, more armour, BBQ gun, ICOM 7300, more precious metals, etc. but I’m still not where I want to be on the land purchase. The markets have not been as cooperative as I would like, but I’m hoping that will change when (fingers crossed) Biden leaves office.
As in previous years, the focus is less about acquiring more things but rather holding on to what I have. Remember: its not about what you make, its about what you keep.
I congratulate all of you on, mostly, surviving 2023. Between record inflation, higher interest rates, higher gas prices, global instability, and higher crime rates, making it through this year unscathed was never really a fait accompli. But…here we are.
How did I do at predicting 2023?:
Forecast for 2023? Inflation continues and blame for it goes everywhere except where it should. Wuhan Flu continues to be an issue until finally we develop natural immunities and it becomes a seasonal nuisance like the regular flu. China continues to a) duck the blame for the Wuhan Flu, b) continues its incremental imperialism, and c) keeps feinting at Taiwan. The Russians continue their low-key war against the rest of the world in the form of cyberattacks and state-sponsorship. On the domestic front, I think we’ll see the whole BLM/Antifa/Woke nonsense hit a nadir as people start getting tired of paying high taxes just to have ‘marginalized groups’ threaten to kill them and burn down their neighborhoods. Gun and ammo availability? Guns up, ammo down. “Supply chain issues” becomes the catch-all phrase and excuse for people and businesses not living up to expectations. Cubs do not win the Series.
No idea what next year holds, but I’m sure that like every year there will be no shortage of high points but also no shortage of nadirs. I prepare for it, I hope it doesn’t happen, but when (not if) it does I’ll hope to be the guy who gets up after getting knocked down…although my Plan A is to avoid getting knocked down in the first place.
Good luck in 2024, guys. You’ve done something right to make it this far into the 2020’s…keep up the good work.
Take us out, Mr Domingo…
Can I ask you a question? You’ve been buying guns, ammo and gold for a long time. Which has held their value the best? If you were going to buy $5000 worth of one, put it in a box and sell it in 20 years which would you choose? By gun, I mean a quality but not collector type.
If you answer thank you very much. Even if you don’t answer I really enjoy your blog and wish you a great new year.
Hmm.. Well, I bought a couple Arsenal milled AK’s when the first came out about 20 years ago for $600 each and theyre about twice that now. But if after 20 years your return is only 100%, you’ve got some re-thinking to do.
20 years ago gold was something like $400 an ounce and now its close to $2000..a 5x increase, but adjuted for inflation more of a 4x increase.
Although I haven’t bought it yet, I’d say the best investment, other than in yourself, is in land. But $5000 doesnt get you much land these days. The market was around 16000 in 2004, now its twice that and you’d have dividends and whatnot in the interim so if youre willing to believe in the stock market that would have been a good choice even with 2008 and 2020.buy and hold, buy and hold.
If it were me, and I wasnted to put $5000 somewhere to sit for 20 years, I’d put it in either gold or index funds. if it were a larger amount, like say $50,000 or $500,000 I’d put it in land.
But thats me…you do you.
My silver at$6 is up to $24+ but a bag of AU Morgans is twice that+. After 2008 I could have bought a condo in Fl for$5000 that currently comps $150,000 (couldn’t buy due to age restrictions,I wasn’t 55+). Look for land to go into decline and as always cash is King
I’m impressed at how inexpensive firearms remain – I.e. you can still routinely find gently used ARs and decent semi-auto pistols (CZ, Sig, S&W) for around $400. Ammo is ‘up’ in the last couple years, but not radically so (10%).
Sure with I’d bought gold 20 years ago.
I also remember watching bitcoin cross 1$ about 10 years ago. “Why don’t I throw $100 at it & see what happens?” Yeah….
CZ,
Your 2023 predictions were spot on.
As long as your management fees are reasonable, please provide me with your address. I will be forwarding the necessary paperwork that will allow you to begin managing my 401k and various other investments. CZ, I have great expectations, so don’t fail me!
Oh, yeah. Almost forgot. Any advice about the next Power Ball drawing?
Happy New Year to you! May the coming year be healthy, prosperous, and successful, with a sprinkling of fun.
As far as investments, both land and the market, besides the drag of inflation, there are taxes and fees to consider. At this point I’m content to stay even, all things considered. Sometimes its better to just have an asset, even if it’s return isn’t up to par. As they say, “Nothing’s for certain; it can always go wrong”.
With all the power companies divesting coal plants, just parked some money in AMLP, natural gas ETF paying almost an 8% dividend.