You Just Bought Your First Ounce…Now What?

Hi real money believer,

Precious metals talk and hype seem to be everywhere these days. Gold is at all-time highs, platinum continues to quietly skyrocket as inflation isn't going anywhere, and silver just hit $100 USD last week — a milestone that has people really buzzing. Gold and silver are sold at Costco, and every week there seems to be another new gold or silver ETF hitting the investment market. Clients and friends and family are excited, neighbours are showing off coins and bars… it’s easy to feel both excited and a little overwhelmed. Many people are chasing what’s hot, worried about missing out. Wondering if they should sell? Buy more? Do nothing?

If you’ve recently bought your first ounce — or maybe received one as a Christmas gift — you might be feeling a mix of pride, excitement, and a little uncertainty. “Okay… now what?”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Almost everyone who buys their first ounces of precious metals asks it and it’s completely normal to feel that way.

Why “Now What?” Happens

Buying your first ounce is thrilling, but it can also be the start of a confusing phase. Suddenly, you're a little more aware of how much is happening and changing (often for the worse) in the world:

• Gold is at all-time highs.

• Platinum continues to surge quietly.

• Silver just passed $100 USD — a landmark many haven’t seen in years.

Trading up fiat dollars for physical precious metals feels harder than ever and it's not because metals are suddenly “too expensive,” but because dollars continue to lose value and purchasing power. Add in unprecedented government deficits, systemic inflation, lack of financial privacy, and the increasing shift toward digital financial assets, and it’s no wonder new stackers feel uncertain. Many people under 50 are discovering physical precious metals for the very first time, and the excitement (and maybe fear) is real, but so is the “what now?” question.

Before buying more or thinking about becoming a "stacker", I also enocurage my clients to ask themselves: "why are you buying precious metals"? ""What do you want them to do for you?".

• Is it for inflation protection?

• Wealth preservation?

• Financial privacy?

• Keeping some money a little more out of the system?

• Or leaving a legacy for the next generation?

Many first-time buyers are drawn in by headlines or FOMO, and that’s okay as it can act as motivation to get them started, and maybe this sounds familiar to you. But if you don’t ask yourself “why,” it’s easy to feel lost after your first coin or bar. Knowing your purpose gives clarity, confidence, and direction for your stacking journey. It also makes the act of buying and holding much more rewarding — emotionally and psychologically. That first coin isn’t just an investment; it’s a tangible step towards building good financial habits so you can have more financial independence, choice and freedom.

Precious Metals Are Money First — Investment Second

Here’s the mindset shift I encourage every new stacker to make: precious metals are real money first, investment second.

Gold, silver, and platinum don’t rely on a government, a bank, or a digital network. They don’t need a password or an app. Unlike crypto or fiat dollars, metals provide a sense of peace, security, and satisfaction that digital assets alone can’t. Holding that first coin or bar gives you something tangible, a feeling of control over your wealth and your future. You can see it, feel it, store it, and rely on it. That emotional connection is the calm and confidence you gain from holding something real and energetic which are unique to precious metals.

Physical Metals vs. Crypto

These days, many people are used to digital financial assets. They bank and invest on their phone with apps, or buy Bitcoin or other crypto on exchanges, and it all seems easy, seamless and modern. But there are risks that aren’t always obvious. Digital assets are dependent on passwords, wallets, internet access, and platforms that can fail or get hacked. Transactions are often public, which can compromise privacy, and in a power failure or internet outage your holdings could become inaccessible. How would this make you feel?

Precious metals, on the other hand, offer a compelling alternative. They are tangible, universally recognized, and not reliant on digital systems or the power grid. You can hold them in your hands, store them privately, and access them whenever needed. They also provide greater financial privacy than crypto because transactions don’t leave a permanent digital footprint and can be 100% anonymous.

Take Emily, a typical new client and stacker, as an example. She recently bought her first ounces of silver, inspired by huge rise in silver. She had considered Bitcoin but felt uneasy about digital wallets, exchanges, and public ledgers. Holding that silver gave her something she could see, feel, and rely on, even if digital networks failed. The peace of mind, security, and satisfaction she felt from owning a tangible asset are something dollars or crypto alone can’t provide. We devised her plan, which addressd her "why", she was wanting inflation protection plus some growth potential, which contained how many ounces of what kind to buy. Each pay, she takes 10% and buys 1oz American Eagle coins, and a 10oz Royal Canadian Mint bar. Should the gold to silver ratio reach 15:1, she will switch to gold. For Emily, she now has a plan and strategy where she is payyng herself first and storing her wealth in real assets which offers inflation-protection plus growth. She realizes that precious metals just aren't an investment but real money first and a sound way to build security, protection and peace of mind and this emotional security is just as important as the financial potential.

Practical “Now What?” Tips for New Stackers

If this resonates with you, here are some practical steps to help answer the “now what?” question:

• Explore different options. Browse online dealers or visit your local coin shop to see the different coins, bars, and rounds available from various mints and in different weights. Do you prefer silver over gold? Coins vs bars? 1oz or 10oz? Generic rounds or recognized bullion coins?

• Stick to bullion from your own country. U.S. Eagles or Canadian Maples are highly recognizable and easy to sell or trade if needed.

• Be consistent. Trade up a small portion of your fiat dollars for metals regularly — each paycheck or monthly — instead of trying to buy a lot at once.

• Be your own bank. Keep enough dollars in your bank account for monthly expenses, and store the rest in physical metals. This gives you independence while maintaining liquidity for day-to-day needs.

• Keep learning. The more you explore, the more confident you’ll become in your stacking decisions.

These steps help you develop discipline, confidence, and a long-term plan. They turn your first ounce into the start of a habit, not a one-time purchase. And the emotional rewards — peace of mind, security, and satisfaction — are something that dollars or crypto alone can’t provide.

In my opinion, silver is the best metal to own these days for those seeking long-term potential gains. It is still relatively cheap compared to gold plus it has significant benefits to and uses in society The $100 USD milestone is huge and the demand isn’t just speculative. Silver is used more now than ever in industrial applications: EV batteries (Samsung uses 1kg per car), solar panels, electronics, and even military tech like Tomahawk missiles. Supply can’t keep up with demand, making silver a uniquely positioned asset for long-term growth.

Even with high prices, don’t panic. The bigger risk in my opinion is never starting at all. Owning your first ounce(s) is proof that you’ve taken action and that alone is huge. The next step is figuring out what your metals are for and how you want to grow them.

Many people I talk to say things like:

• “I bought silver. I guess I’m done?”

• “I have gold now. What do I do with it?”

In my view, this is where the journey really begins.

🎧 If you’re new to my blog or podcast, The Precious Metals Coach, I encourage you to explore past episodes and articles. Over time, they’ll help you build financial literacy about physical precious metals. I don’t sell metals and always provide 100% unbiased insights and opinions. My goal is to help everyday people gain more financial independence, choice, and freedom — and to feel confident holding something real, tangible, and lasting.

Listen to The Precious Metals Coach podcast, available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Hubhopper. Every week, I share insights to help everyday people gain financial independence, choice, and freedom. Real Money for We The People.

✨ To help get you started, I also offer a free 15-minute Discovery Call where we can discuss your goals and questions about precious metals. And don’t forget to download my latest free ebook, Why Savvy People Are Moving to Precious Metals — the link is in the show notes.

If some of this feels familiar — the excitement, the questions, the “now what?” — that’s because it’s a universal stage for first-time stackers. Explore your metals, consider what excites you, make small regular purchases, and make sure to have a plan.The satisfaction and confidence you feel from holding something real, something tangible, is a reward in itself. You bought your first ounce. Now the real journey begins.

To your financial health 🥂,

David LeBlanc

The Precious Metals Coach + Money Mindset Mentor

"Real Money For We The People"

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Disclaimer: This blog is for educational and informational purposes only. None of what I share should be considered as financial advice. You're encourage to seek advice from a licensed professional to determine what's best for you.