5 years in with my Gold IRA - my take on returns and if it was worth it

• •Okay, so it’s been almost five years since I first opened my Gold IRA.
• •I remember being super nervous about it, you know?
• •I ended up putting about $60,000 into it initially, mostly from some profits after a good year for my business.

Okay, so it’s been almost five years since I first opened my Gold IRA. I remember being super nervous about it, you know? As a small business owner here in Denver, cash preservation is a huge deal, and I was looking for something outside the traditional stock market rollercoaster. I ended up putting about $60,000 into it initially, mostly from some profits after a good year for my business. I went with Augusta Precious Metals after doing a ton of research, and honestly, their customer service was a big part of that decision. They just made the whole process feel less intimidating.

My main goal wasn't to get rich quick, but rather to diversify and protect my retirement savings from inflation and market volatility. I already had my traditional 401k and some other investments, but I wanted that tangible asset. Over these past five years, my account value has definitely grown. It’s not like it shot up 300% overnight or anything, but it’s been a steady, comfortable increase. Looking at the statements now, it's sitting somewhere between $80,000 and $85,000, depending on the day. That’s a decent gain, especially considering the economic uncertainty we've seen since then.

Honestly, the biggest benefit for me hasn't just been the monetary return, but the peace of mind. Knowing a portion of my retirement is in physical gold, out of the immediate whims of Wall Street, is a huge psychological win. I sleep a bit better at night. My question for others who've been at this longer: For those with similar portfolio sizes ($50k-$100k), what kind of returns have you seen over a 5+ year period? Are there any strategies you've employed to optimize your gains?