Minimums for Gold IRAs - what's realistic these days?

• •Been seeing a lot of chatter lately about minimum investment requirements for Gold IRAs, and it got me thinking about my own experience.
• •When I first diversified into gold back in '08, right before the big financial meltdown, the minimums felt a lot different.
• •I rolled over a good chunk of my 401k from my ExxonMobil days into a Gold IRA.

Been seeing a lot of chatter lately about minimum investment requirements for Gold IRAs, and it got me thinking about my own experience. When I first diversified into gold back in '08, right before the big financial meltdown, the minimums felt a lot different. I rolled over a good chunk of my 401k from my ExxonMobil days into a Gold IRA. I was comfortable putting in a decent chunk – we're talking a strong six figures, easily over $200k at that point. With things looking shaky in the market, it felt like the safest place for a significant portion of my retirement savings. My advisor at the time recommended it, and frankly, I had seen enough ups and downs in my career to trust my gut on needing some tangible assets.

Now, I’m seeing some companies advertising "low minimums" that still seem pretty high to me. I mean, if someone says $25,000 is a "low minimum," that's still a substantial amount for a lot of folks looking to get into the game. I wonder if the typical minimums have just inflated over the years, or if most of these companies are really targeting investors with deeper pockets? It makes me question how accessible these Gold IRAs truly are for the average person trying to protect their retirement, especially with inflation eating away at everything else.

My current portfolio is well into the 7-figure range, and a good chunk of that is still in gold and silver, including some substantial silver bar holdings. I'm based here in Houston, and I've seen firsthand how economic shifts can impact everyone, from oil prices to housing. For anyone just starting out, what kind of minimums are you actually encountering? Are you finding companies that cater to more modest investments, or is it mostly geared towards those with larger portfolios like mine?

For those of you looking to learn more about this stuff, I recently stumbled across the Learning Center at Gold IRA Blueprint. It's got a ton of educational resources that go beyond just the basics, which I appreciate. Always good to stay informed, regardless of how much you're investing. Anyway, would love to hear your thoughts on these minimums – are they a barrier for entry for most people, or am I just out of touch with what’s considered "affordable" these days?