Gold IRA for folks with less than $100k? My take and looking for others

• •I see a lot of posts here from people with seriously huge portfolios, which is awesome, but it got me thinking about those just starting out.
• •For smaller investors, the company you pick makes a massive difference.
• •Some of the big names have minimums that just price people out.

I see a lot of posts here from people with seriously huge portfolios, which is awesome, but it got me thinking about those just starting out. I've been helping clients in SLC for a while now, primarily with gold IRAs, and it seems like there’s a misconception that you need a huge war chest to get into precious metals. While I’m sitting on a pretty healthy 400k in my own gold IRA, I definitely didn't start there, and many of my clients are in the $25k-$50k range when they first come to me.

For smaller investors, the company you pick makes a massive difference. Some of the big names have minimums that just price people out. I’ve seen folks get hit with crazy fees on smaller amounts that just eat into any potential gains. I've had good experiences directing clients towards companies that have lower minimums and more transparent fee structures. It’s not about finding the absolute cheapest, but finding one that doesn't penalize you for not being a millionaire (yet!).

My top recommendations for those starting out tend to lean towards companies with a strong educational component and solid customer service, especially if it’s someone's first foray into physical assets. What I've found helpful is really digging into their fee breakdown and how easy they make it to actually understand what you're paying for. Has anyone else found specific companies that are particularly good for these smaller initial investments? And beyond simply getting started, what strategies are folks using to grow their gold IRA once they've taken that first step?

Oh, and on a slightly different but related note, for those of us getting closer to retirement (or just planning ahead!), I’ve been using this RMD Calculator to help clients figure out their required minimum distributions once they hit 73. It’s been a lifesaver for long-term planning, especially with precious metals, because the rules can get a little quirky. Would love to hear if others have tried it or have other tools they swear by for RMD calculations!