Sorry hrattle but I think you are very wrong, bullion is the least risky investment you can make right now. Nothing, of any importance, has its track record. Housing is tanking with 8 million unsold properties in the states.

My RRSP which is heavy in to golds has increased by 50% since its low in October while my other account which is mainly in cash has done nothing. I kept that one in cash because of trying to find the bottom, or in case I need cash for other uses in these uncertain times. On a short term for emergencies, sure cash is safe since it looses its value fairly gradually and predictably, but long term it clearly underperforms gold buillion.