U.S. National Debt

The current U.S. national debt:
$34,542,838,497,262

Source

 

What to Look Out for When Investing in Gold
The 2008 financial crisis prompted many people to consider investing in gold and silver. The continuous rise of gold prices for over a decade has also continued to generate interest amongst investors. However, like any other investment, there are things you need to pay attention to if you are to maximize your return and eliminate risks.
Investment Decisions
To make the most out of your gold and silver investments, you need to set your short, mid-term, and long-term objectives straight. This will prevent you from being swayed by prevailing market trends. It is also important to consider whether this is the best time to invest. Just because gold prices have been rising steadily for the past few years, does not mean you should be complacent. Having a professional advice you on your investments can help you make clear unemotional decisions.
Buying Physical Gold
After the global market recession, some investors have been looking to buy physical gold and store them at home. There are many reasons why this is a bad idea. You can insure your precious metal collection, but this is likely to cost you a lot of money and eat into your investment. You can, however, keep a few coins at home as long as they are kept in a safe, secure storage where they won’t be damaged or stolen.
Avoiding Fraud
You need to watch out for unscrupulous dealers and the tactics they use to defraud investors of their money. For example, if you are dealing with allocated bullion you need to establish whether you own the physical gold directly. When you are buying gold that is over 1oz in weight they usually come in serial numbers. These serial numbers are important when you need to establish whether the gold is yours. Consider getting advice from an expert before buying gold.