Is anyone else using physical gold to weather this

• •As a small-town mayor here in Boise, I've been feeling the pinch lately, just like everyone else.
• •Our community relies heavily on small businesses, and the talk of a recession has got me genuinely concerned.
• •It's not about getting rich quick for me; it's about protecting what I've worked for, especially with my kids getting closer to college age.

As a small-town mayor here in Boise, I've been feeling the pinch lately, just like everyone else. Our community relies heavily on small businesses, and the talk of a recession has got me genuinely concerned. I dipped my toe into the Gold IRA pool about three years ago, primarily as a hedge against inflation and frankly, just some general economic uncertainty. I started with about $50k back then, and after rolling over some old 401k funds, I’m sitting around $80k in physical gold and silver now, all held in a secure depository, of course.

My big question is, with all the talk about interest rate hikes and potential downturns, how are others feeling about their precious metal holdings right now? I'm watching the news and seeing all the economic indicators fluctuating, and while my gold hasn't skyrocketed, it definitely feels more stable than my stock portfolio, which has been a bit of a rollercoaster. It's not about getting rich quick for me; it's about protecting what I've worked for, especially with my kids getting closer to college age.

I know some people bash precious metals as a "safe but boring" investment, but for me, it's about peace of mind. As someone actively involved in local government, I see firsthand how economic shifts impact real families. Having that physical asset just feels right when the digital world gets shaky. Does anyone else feel this way? Or am I being overly cautious?

I'd love to hear from other Gold IRA investors, especially those who have been through a few economic cycles. What are your strategies for recession-proofing your portfolio with precious metals? Any thoughts on increasing or decreasing holdings given the current climate? I'm always looking for ways to be a smarter, more community-focused investor, and sharing insights really helps.