If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether you should own some gold or silver, you’re not alone. This question comes up all the time when I talk to physicians, especially during seasons when the market gets a little chaotic.
There is something grounding about assets that have survived every recession, every currency collapse, and every “unprecedented event” we’ve all lived through over the last decade.
But here’s what most physicians miss. Gold and silver are not there to make you rich (even though they’ve outperformed a lot of other assets recently.) They’re there to protect the freedom you’re working so hard to build.
That mindset shift makes all the difference.
I want to walk you through how I think about precious metals today. Not as a trader or economist, but as a physician who has seen how unpredictable money, markets, and medicine can be. And who has learned that protecting your downside is just as important as creating upside.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Any investment involves risk, and you should consult your financial advisor, attorney, or CPA before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The author and associated entities disclaim any liability for loss incurred as a result of the use of this material or its content.
Why Precious Metals Matter for Physicians Right Now
Take a look at what we are dealing with: inflation that still feels too high, markets that swing wildly, global instability, and a healthcare system that feels less predictable by the year. None of that means you should panic buy gold coins and bury them in your backyard. It simply means this is a good time to think about where your financial vulnerabilities might be.
Precious metals are one of the oldest tools for financial stability. They don’t depend on a company’s earnings call or a hospital’s administrators. They don’t care who wins the election. Their entire job is to hold value when everything else starts wobbling.
Physicians are not actually risk averse. We are risk managers. And this is another way to manage risk.
Gold and Silver: What They Actually Do
Gold is the “steady one.” It holds its value. It shows up when the stock market is having a meltdown. It’s not going to double overnight, but that’s not why people own it. Think of it like the dependable colleague who doesn’t try to take over the room but is absolutely solid every time you need them.
Silver is different. It moves more. It has industrial uses in tech and energy, so it reacts more to the economy. It will swing higher and lower than gold, sometimes dramatically. More potential upside, more noise.
A lot of investors like a blend because it gives them both stability and potential growth. But either one can serve as a protective layer in your portfolio.
Should Physicians Even Invest in Precious Metals?
Short answer: most physicians should at least consider a small allocation.
Here’s why.
Precious metals do not produce cash flow. They will not help you cut back on call. They will not replace your income. They will not move you closer to financial freedom in the way real estate or a business can.
But they preserve. They smooth out the volatility in your overall portfolio. They help you hold onto the wealth you’ve built in times of uncertainty. They sit quietly in the background while your other investments go to work.
You don’t buy metals for return. You buy them for resilience.
Four Simple Ways Physicians Invest in Precious Metals
Here is the breakdown I give friends when they ask.
1. Physical coins or bars
The simplest and most old school option. You own it outright and there is no counterparty risk. But you need to store it securely and it’s not as liquid as selling a stock.
Best for people who want the purest form of insurance.
2. ETFs
These track the price of gold or silver without requiring storage. Easy to buy and sell. The catch is you don’t actually hold the metal, you just hold a financial product backed by it.
Best for convenience.
3. Mining stocks
These can move dramatically because they respond to both metal prices and company performance. Much riskier than owning gold itself.
Best for more experienced investors.
4. Gold or silver IRAs
This lets you hold metals inside a retirement account. You get the tax benefits but also more fees and more rules.
Best for people building long term hedges inside their retirement plan.
How Much Should a Physician Invest?
There’s no magic number, but here’s a simple starting framework that I’ve seen some financial experts advocate for:
Early career: 1 to 3 percent
Mid career: 3 to 7 percent
Financially independent or close: 5 to 10 percent
Enough to matter. Not enough to throw off your long term growth.
Think of metals like you think of airbags or insurance. You do not want them to be the star of the show. You want them to be there when you need them and invisible when you don’t.
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The Biggest Mistake Doctors Make with Precious Metals
Overcorrecting.
A big headline hits, the stock market drops, and suddenly people start looking at gold like the only safe place left. That almost always leads to emotional decisions and bad timing.
Precious metals work best when you buy calmly, consistently, and without tying them to fear or panic.
Your offensive strategy should be real estate, entrepreneurship, and creating income streams that are not tied to your time.
Your defensive strategy can include precious metals as part of a broader cushion.
Both matter.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy?
Here’s the most honest answer I can give. Precious metals are long term tools. The goal is not to predict a perfect entry point. The goal is to build a foundation that protects your freedom no matter what happens in the market.
If you believe the next decade will be full of surprises, having a small allocation makes sense. Not because of fear, but because of prudence.
Final Thought
Gold will not buy your time back. Silver will not help you retire early. They cannot solve burnout or fix the healthcare system. But they can help you hold onto the wealth you’re building with real estate, passive income, and intentional planning.
Think of precious metals as the steady sidekick. Your freedom still comes from building assets that pay you, protect you, and give you choices.
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Peter Kim, MD is the founder of Passive Income MD, the creator of Passive Real Estate Academy, and offers weekly education through his Monday podcast, the Passive Income MD Podcast. Join our community at the Passive Income Doc Facebook Group.
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