How Many Precious Metals Are Enough?

A Practical, Real-World Perspective for Stackers at Any Stage, at Any Age

Hi again real money believer,

Most people get started with precious metals for a few common reasons: protection against inflation, reducing dependence on the financial system, increasing financial privacy, and building long-term wealth.

As ounces begin to accumulate and the stack gets bigger, a natural question eventually follows:

"How much is enough? When do I stop?"

If you're already a stacker, have you ever asked yourself that question? Or wondered if the gold, silver, or platinum you’re holding is actually enough to protect your future?

It sounds simple, but it’s one of the hardest questions to answer and I think one of the most important. I often talk with clients who are drawn to precious metals as an investment first as they've been reading about gold, silver and platinum in the financial news and want to get in and that's a valid reason as precious metals prices have skyrockted recently. But what many people fail to see is that precious metals are real money first. Sure, in a market such as today, they're prices are rising (only because the value of dollars are decreasing). But their real value and benefit is holding them instead of fiat dollars to protect against inflation and preserve your wealth for the long haul - not short term gains. Becuase what are you going to do - sell your metal back into fiat dollars???

OK, back to trying to figure out how much (how many ounces) is enough. Some assume the answer is a specific number of ounces. Others think it’s a percentage of net worth, or a percntage of their total investment portfolio Many worry they’re either underprepared or overdoing it, unsure whether they’re building real security or just guessing.

The problem is that most discussions around precious metals skip the real issue. They jump straight into charts, ratios, or price predictions—without addressing how metals are actually meant to function in a real person’s life.

What do I tell people? Think of precious metals as real money first, and an investment second. They are tangible, globally- recognized real asset. This means your first priority should be using metals to build a savings or emergency fund, not chasing short-term gains. Once that foundation is in place, you can think about accumulation as wealth-building and investing all to be a little more out of the system and building true financial independence, choice and freedom.

A Rare But Powerful Habit

If you own just a single ounce of gold, silver or platimum, congratulations! Globally, only a small fraction of people actually own precious metals. In the U.S., for example, only about 10–12% of Americans report owning gold and roughly 11–15% own silver in coin or bar form. Worldwide, ownership rates are even lower, often in the single digits.

Did you know that less than one in ten people globally own any precious metals at all?

This means most people are fully dependent on fiat money and many are unprepared for emergencies, rising costs, or inflation. By trading a portion of your dollars into real money in the form of gold, silver, and platinum, you’re not just protecting your wealth—you’re building a habit that sets you apart from the majority of the world who remain fully exposed to the system.

A Great Place To Start: Three to Six Months of Expenses

In today’s world, life is becoming less affordable than ever. Inflation keeps eroding purchasing power, taxes continue to rise, and more people are experiencing job insecurity or income interruptions. Building an emergency fund—or a larger savings buffer—is no longer optional; it’s essential in my opinion In my experience, the best place to begin is simple:

Own enough precious metals to cover at least three months of your living expenses. Think of this as your financial shock absorber and mental sedative.

Why three months? Because many people aren’t prepared for even minor emergencies. Surveys show that the average American can’t cover an unexpected $1,000 expense without using a credit card or borrowing. Three months of living expenses gives you breathing room, protects you if income is interrupted, and provides something most people are missing today: peace of mind.

Depending on your situation—job stability, household obligations, or other financial risks—you may want to aim for six months of expenses or more. Could three to six months of living expenses in gold give you the peace of mind you’ve been missing? If you had a sudden $1,000 expense tomorrow, how would you cover it? Cash? Credit card? Somethng else???

For an emergency fund, I think gold is the best primary metal. It’s more price stable than silver or platinum, holds value over the long term, and is widely recognized. For Americans, I prefer gold Eagles or Buffalos; for Canadians, gold Maples. These bullion coins are generally available, highly recognizable, and often fetch top dollar if you need to sell or trade.

Another benefit of holding your emergency fund or savings in physical metals is behavioral: you’re less likely to spend it impulsively compared with the tap of a debit card or ATM withdrawal. Metals encourage discipline, patience, and long-term thinking which are qualities that help you sleep better at night, build better financial habits, and help you feel and be more in control of your financial future.

Example: Alex, 25 years old

Alex recently graduated from college and is renting his very first apartment after landing his first career job. Like many young adults, he’s been taught to “save his pennies” in the bank and set aside at least 10% of each paycheck.

But instead of putting that money into a traditional savings or high-interest savings account, Alex’s financially savvy father encouraged him to do something different: put 10% of each paycheck into gold. The reasoning? It helps protect and preserve wealth, keeps him a little more out of the system, and builds a habit of paying yourself first and holding real money instead of fiat dollars.

At today’s prices, Alex buys a 1/20 oz gold Canadian Maple, which is about $330 USD, each pay period. Over time, this small, consistent habit starts to add up and surprisingly fast:

• Three months of expenses = $7,500

• Six months of expenses = $15,000

Alex doesn’t need to buy large quantities all at once. By stacking small amounts consistently:

• fractional gold each pay period

• and a few ounces of silver occasionally on price dips

  
  

…he steadily builds both a financial cushion, a good practice of paying yourself first, and a lifelong habit of converting fiat dollars into real money which holds its value from inflation and risk.

🙋🏻 What’s stopping you from taking that first small step—like Alex trading 10% of his paycheck into gold and silver? Do you already have a habit of stacking metals, or is this a completely new idea for you?

Once You Have Your Emergency Fund, Shift to Wealth Building

Once your own emergency fund is in place, your thinking can naturally shift from security to long-term wealth accumulation and inflation protection. Your metals are no longer just a backup or safety net but rather the foundation for strategic financial growth and real wealth.

At this stage, you can consider:

• Silver for accumulation, inflation protection, and growth potential

• Platinum for selective growth opportunities and diversification

• Gold to maintain stability and continue growing your core holdings

The idea is simple: first, secure your foundation with real money in largely gold to survive unexpected expenses so as not to add to debt, income interruptions, or economic uncertainty. Then, strategically layer silver and platinum to add growth potential and further hedge against inflation. I think this approach balances stability with the opportunity to expand your wealth over time.

Affordability Matters (And Silver Still Shines)

With silver around $90, gold near $4,600, and platinum over $2,300, the metals are more expensive than they used to be but that’s not because they are becoming “too pricey.” It’s because fiat dollars are losing their value.

For many people today, silver remains a powerful entry point. It’s accessible given its lower price than gold and platinum, easy to accumulate, and historically undervalued relative to gold. For many starting out, silver is where confidence is built ounce by ounce while forming the lifelong habit of holding real money instead of dollars.

Layering Beyond the Emergency Fund: Building Resilience and Wealth

After your initial emergency fund is complete, stacking evolves:

• 6 months of expenses = more flexibility and confidence

• 12 months of expenses = real independence and resilience

• Beyond that = long-term wealth preservation and optionality

At this stage, metals aren’t just an emergency buffer they’re part of a deliberate, ongoing wealth-building strategy. Every ounce adds financial sovereignty, reducing reliance on the system and increasing your financial independence, choice and freedom in life.

Example: Morgan, 52

Morgan spent most of her life focused on work and family, saving diligently but never really thinking about financial independence beyond her paycheck. Over the years, she watched friends and colleagues struggle with unexpected layoffs, rising costs, and the stress of living paycheck to paycheck. She knew she didn’t want to be in that position herself any longer.

In 2021, as the world was changing and chaotic, Morgan decided to start building her precious metals emergency fund as she was fearful or market crashes and the overall financial system. She focused primarily on gold Eagles, Buffalos, and Maples, valuing their stability and global recognition. The security and peace of mind they provided was immediate as she could finally sleep at night knowing she had real money she could rely on if life threw her a curveball.

After achieving her initial emergency fund, Morgan didn’t stop. She realized that it was better to hold real money than fiat dollars, and continuing to trade a portion of her monthly income into metals was both protection and wealth building. She also selectively adds silver when prices dip and platinum for diversification. Over time, stacking has become a monthly and fun ritual, a tangible way to grow wealth while protecting her financial freedom.

Morgan told me:“For the first time, I don’t feel stressed about money. I feel prepared. Every month when I add to my metals, I feel like I’m taking control of my future, not just waiting to see what happens.”

Morgan’s story shows that it’s never too late to start building real wealth, and that the habit of consistently trading dollars for precious metals provides both peace of mind and long-term financial empowerment. She is even teaching her two daughters about precious metals and helping them to develop their own good financial habits which will pay lifelong dividends.

🙋🏻 How would your life feel if you had a similar sense of financial control? Have you considered continuing to stack metals even after your emergency fund is complete?

So, How Much Is “Enough”?

In my opinion, there is no such thing as “enough” or "I am done". It's more about what aligns with your goals.

Remember, every dollar you trade for an ounce of precious metals:

• protects purchasing power

• gives you options

• increases financial independence

• reduces reliance on the system

• helps you sleep at night

The purpose of precious metals isn’t to get rich overnight. It’s to develop a lifelong habit of holding real money outside of the system for savings and emergencies in an increasingly expensive and uncertain world, then for long-term wealth and optionality.

These are some of the guidelines I share with clients when getting started:

• Start with three to six months of expenses, primarily in gold (Eagles/Buffalos for Americans, Maples for Canadians)

• Stack consistently, not emotionally, by paying yourself first each paycheck

• Diversify:

  • Gold for stability

  • Silver for accessibility, inflation protection, and growth potential

  • Platinum for growth and selective hedging

• Use dollar-cost averaging by buying on dips to add more weight for less

• Have fun by shopping the vast universe of coins, bars and rounds available from a different mints from around the world!

This turns stacking into a habit, not a one-time purchase. And habits compound both in ounces and confidence.

🙋🏻 Which of these principles could you start applying this month?

Final Thought

If you’re waiting for the “perfect time,” or if you think precious metals are too expensive right now, you’ll always be waiting.

If you’re asking “How much should I own?”—you’re already ahead of most people. Start where you are. Do what you can. Keep going.

Precious metals aren’t just assets. They’re also financial sovereignty in physical form. Every ounce you acquire is a step toward building a real-money habit, first for safety in an increasingly expensive and uncertain world, then for long-term wealth.

🙋🏻 Which stage are you at—just starting, building an emergency fund, or focused on wealth accumulation? What’s your biggest question or challenge when it comes to holding real money in metals? Send me a message or leave a comment—I’d love to help.

Because real money is about real financial independence, choice and freedom. Now just imagine how that would feel?

Questions or comments? Email me and I'd be glad to share my two cents (or 1/4 ounce) with you.

To your finanical health 🥂,

David LeBlanc

The Precious Metals Coach

"Real Money For We The People"

preciousmetalscoach@proton.me

DISCLAIMER: The insights and opinions expressed in this article are my own and should not be construed as financial advice and I am not a financial advisor. You're encouraged to seek professional advice to determine what's best for your own situation.