I've also been buying precious metal stocks since December of 2018 - didn't put a great deal of money into it but they've given me good returns.

@Precious Thompson as with any relationship, be honest, upfront, have clear communication, and work your butt off to help your client.These things will speak volumes to what type of agent you are and will lead to more referrals.

@Precious ThompsonPay off credit cards before statement so they report with$0 balance.

Hard assets...real estate, precious metals, etc tend to preserve value here. 

I know time is precious and I am grateful you spent some of yours to help me.I plan to do some things locally eventually, even thought NY is expensive.

Otherwise, why would they give away their most precious commodity for free?

I know precious little about the market or location; 500 a month tenants are not a group I can personally manage (unless they are retirees) so I'd have to hire a PM.

Brokers and attys can do real estate and get a fee.Believe me, I am NOT a broker or die guy and some of them provide precious little work for the fee.  

yes.however, there was a show recently detailing the precious commodities/food/natural resources in the U.S.A.The value of these alone came to well above the trillion mark (whatever number you call that after a trillion).the US is fine; we just don't like to advertise it. :)Another thing people fail to mention (in us competing w/ China & India now) is our ability to entreprenuer.There's quite a few awesome entreprenuers on this website alone...

Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k SimilaritiesBoth were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions;Both are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m); andNeither may be invested in your own business.