Gold, Silver and Luxury Items In the Year 2020

When you think about luxury items, you think about things that you don't need but will enhance your life or your image. You don't need a Mercedes-Benz. A used Honda will be just fine. But a Mercedes-Benz creates an image of success and accomplishment. However, if you look at the soaring commodity prices, things dependent on cheap food and fuel will become harder to access. Let's take a look at a few everyday things that will become a luxury in the year 2020.

The Ham and Cheese Sandwich - Ah, the ultimate symbol of a third grader's lunch as actually more complex than you think. A ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce and mayo requires meat, dairy, wheat and the ability to transport it all into one place to assemble the sandwich. In fact, in most developed countries, the ham and cheese sandwich simply can not exist. But in America, the cheap fuel and food makes such a sandwich a reality. In the year 2020, when fuel is no longer cheap, when it will be laughable to transport meat 200 miles for the sake of a sandwich, slices of ham and cheese, stacked between bread will be a luxury reserved only for bankers and well-connected politicians.

The Fridge - A box, that uses electricity 24-hours a day, for the sole purpose of keeping extra food fresh? You have extra food?! Heck, in the Soviet Union, you had to be a high ranking officer to even think about having a fridge. As food becomes scare and rationed, as electricity becomes rationed via rolling black outs, a fridge will become impractical. In fact, the only people who will have a fridge will be those with their own power source.

An Automobile - When you are poor, you realize it takes a lot to maintain a vehicle. Your car got a flat? Well, take the bus until you can afford money for a spare tire. Low on gas? That drive across town will simply have to wait until payday. In the year 2020, the cost of maintaining the most simple car will simply be too much for half of Americans. And good luck trying to protect your car from crooks who can sell the rare parts for a handsome profit. And gas, forget it. The automobile will be mostly a tool for police and a luxury for the rich. Mass transportation will be the norm. Or a bicycle. Or just walk. Visit a third world country and you'll understand that concept.

Help?! I don't want to live like that!

Considering our debt levels, the mass consumption or resources and the exploding population, it's not a matter of if but a matter of when. However, if you invest in finite assets like gold, silver or even farm land or a practical skill, you can be far ahead of everyone.

Enjoy it while it lasts

My advice: Buy gold, silver and invest in farmland. Meanwhile, enjoy your pizza, burgers, take that drive down your favorite road. And travel to places you always wanted to see. These things will not be around forever.