SD IRA vs. Traditional for Gold - My experience & thoughts?

• •Been weighing the pros and cons of my setup lately, especially with all the economic uncertainty we've been seeing.
• •I've had a significant portion of my retirement funds, about $180k , in physical gold through a self-directed IRA for the past five years.
• •The control a SD IRA offers, letting me choose my precise storage and even specific types of gold, has always been a huge selling point for me.

Been weighing the pros and cons of my setup lately, especially with all the economic uncertainty we've been seeing. I've had a significant portion of my retirement funds, about $180k, in physical gold through a self-directed IRA for the past five years. As a business owner here in Savannah, dealing with the ups and downs of tourism, I really value having assets that aren't directly tied to the stock market's whims. The control a SD IRA offers, letting me choose my precise storage and even specific types of gold, has always been a huge selling point for me. It feels like I truly own my assets, which is a powerful feeling when you've spent years building something from the ground up.

My biggest hesitation though, and something I'm curious if others feel the same about, is the additional admin work that comes with a self-directed account. While I appreciate the flexibility, keeping track of everything, knowing the rules inside and out, and ensuring compliance can be a bit of a headache. Sometimes I wonder if it would just be easier to have a traditional custodian handle everything, even if it means less direct control over the specific bullion. I don't want to make a mistake that could jeopardize my hard-earned retirement savings down the line.

For those of you with gold in either a self-directed or a traditional IRA, what are your thoughts? Are the benefits of self-direction worth the extra effort for you? Or does the simplicity of a traditional custodian win out? I'm particularly interested in hearing from folks who've been through a few economic cycles – how did your choice play out during those times?

I've been using resources like the Learning Center at Gold IRA Blueprint to try and educate myself more on the intricacies of both options, especially regarding IRS regulations. There's a lot of good info there, but it's always great to hear real-world experiences too. Would appreciate any insights!