The downside would be availability to get it or if there are any other problems getting it As well as you cannot own the post meters they must be leased as postage is legally considered a form of currency So there will be monthly recurring expense.( I’m definitely not opposed to the recurring expense if it makes sense )

Obviously, the rate 14 years ago was different than it is today to the currency that's used back home. 

To me they are stores of value or currencies.

What is your currency risk?

Told him not to move his CDs to the Italian bank since he would probably lose money on the foreign currency exchange as the economy gets worse.Got to love Italy.  

For ex, Mar- Sept is the peak travel season and bookings died down during the winter months unless there's a major event taking place. 

Consult your legal counsel.Another item to Google is "FinCEN"If you think privacy today is getting reduced, wait till the govt starts using their own digital currency and know every transaction you make. 

I meant to live in the US of A without utilizing what "fannie Mae" can do for you is like ....... dont know what to saybut seriously product like 30 Year fixed rate mortgage, fanny mae, FDIC/SIPC ; that's all possible because Dollar is major currency of the world.

I think for Americans it's a mistake to speculate based on currency exchange rates and how they may make properties overseas look cheap.

If you feel you are RE heavy, I agree that the property could be sold to pay off your primary, but you could also invest in property in another nation (If Yuen becomes the world reserve currency, a move could be in order), or in the market for strict diversification.Either way, I'd be cautious about buying too heavily into theories regarding debt ceilings, currency dominance and geopolitics in general.