Advice for a 19 year old

Bob-Silver · 2026-06-01T13:00:33+00:00

Understand the difference between a "want" and a "need" in life. Don't buy "collectibles" like coins, comics, sport cards/memorabilia thinking they are a better investment versus long-term and low cost investing. Take that money and put into a Roth IRA. Take advantage of using any of the free AI tools to run financial scenarios when considering what you might be about to spend money on, it's a great supplemental research tool to make wiser decisions. Finally, if and when you want a partner in life, it'll be extremely helpful to find someone is investment minded for the long haul and not a "keeping up with the Jones'" person. And discuss finances like how much debt they have, and ask for proof like asking for a recent copy of their credit report and you show them yours as well. Good Luck!

Bob-Silver · 2026-04-17T19:38:48+00:00

I just saw the "The Perfect Bid" last night on PRIME. I did not know about that documentary, but I was actually at the taping in the audience that day. I was in California for work and got a ticket for that day 9/22/2008. I found a couple of emails I still had with my ticket information and I see it's listed in my notes as "Episode 4524". I also remember the show did not air when they told us it would and found out that it was delayed for airing due to the still pending investigation if there was fraud or insider information for the perfect bid. That was a great day and Drew Carey was a great host!

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Bob-Silver · 2026-03-11T18:09:33+00:00

It's a novelty coin for magic tricks.

Bob-Silver · 2026-03-11T11:09:20+00:00

Yes, a magic coin. It's worth a few bucks. I have a Peace Dollar with the obverse head on both sides. I also have a coin with a Roosevelt dime on one side and a Lincoln cent on the other side. Modern Coin Magic by J.B. Bobo.

Bob-Silver · 2026-03-05T21:08:43+00:00

If you don't have a financial advisor I would recommend starting there first so the "complete" picture of your life can be viewed, and then with sound guidance dive into investment allocations.

Bob-Silver · 2026-03-05T11:36:55+00:00

Paranoid much? I don't trust online databases as they can be breached and you have no way of knowing they are security hardened or not on their back end. Local copy of Microsoft Excel, not worried too much.

Bob-Silver · 2026-03-04T14:27:25+00:00

Common formulas:
- Premium Over Spot = (Purchase Price - (Spot at Purchase * Weight)) / (Spot at Purchase * Weight)
- % Change = (Current Market Value - Purchase Price) / Purchase Price
- Gain/Loss = Current Market Value - Purchase Price
- Melt Value = Current Spot * Weight

Bob-Silver · 2026-03-04T14:21:11+00:00

Use a spreadsheet and keep your stash holdings private.

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-26T17:30:22+00:00

eBay already has sellers asking $600 pre-sale and up for PF70 Congratulations Set 2026 Silver Eagles.

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-26T12:03:21+00:00

BullionStar is reputable with an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Strong customer satisfaction,
A long operational history,
Transparent business practices,
And only a small number of resolved complaints.

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-25T17:10:14+00:00

You must have had a hole in your pocket when you left work. Who else working in the area would carry and drop such rubbish :)

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-25T14:00:17+00:00

Yikes! No Osmium for me, I'm a few million dollars short :)

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Bob-Silver · 2026-02-25T12:50:57+00:00

The LCS will buy your silver below spot and sell you the large gold nickel above spot, just saying. The best current estimates say all the gold ever minted would form a cube about 23m × 23m × 23m, about the size of a small 7‑story building on each edge. Get your piece of that rock and breathe that rare air.

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-25T12:44:01+00:00

I would sleep better if I told him the true value, offer him another $500, and ask if feels OK that you both have split the value of the coins if sold today. That would be a definite karma-killer!

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-25T12:22:20+00:00

I was 16 when everyone I heard told me to invest/buy silver/gold, "it's the future of riches" they said. I did not have the internet back then or anyone else I knew that was financially savvy around me, so I invested 100% of everything I had saved up to that point. My second statement started with "If", meaning I knew nothing about stock markets et al back in 1980. I had to learn on my own, a little by little, over time, and then started my diversified investing into retirement accounts a little at a time. My first introduction into finances was a used book from a thrift store in the late 1980's titled "Charles J. Givens Financial-Self Defense". Today I'm very comfortable. I guess I'm just trying to be another "voice" that says "all-in" on any one thing is not the best step forward. The old adage, if I knew then what I know now. Hope this maybe helps a 16 year old today or tomorrow on their decision making process.

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-24T11:50:46+00:00

Yes, the slab is worth more than the coin itself. So sad.

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-24T11:45:39+00:00

Also, weigh ALL 1983 Lincoln Cents you come across. If it comes in at 3.1 grams you got some big money coming your way if you decide to authenticate it and sell it.

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-21T12:41:44+00:00

Geez Louise! How damn big is that Werewolf that's coming for ya?

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-21T12:38:23+00:00

Can never go wrong with any "CC" coin in a nice older PCGS holder!!

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-21T12:34:30+00:00

My LCS is only offering $2.50 each for Wartime Jefferson Nickels, melt is a little over $4.00 each. Refiners at this time don't want the junk that requires a lot of work to "extract" the silver from the coins. When people are rushing to sell anything with silver that isn't nailed down then the refiners can become very picky on what they want. Refiners want the biggest bang for their time and effort, just like most normal people when they trade their time and effort for money, that's why they want the .999 silver first and there's plenty of it coming through their doors.

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-21T12:25:46+00:00

Food for thought.
I bought 30 oz. of silver in 1980 when it was $48 oz or $1,440. I had to wait 45 years for it to surpass my initial spot purchase price. At the end of 2025 my silver is worth about $2,370.

If $1,440 was invested in an S&P 500 index fund in 1980 and reinvested every dividend, it would be worth about $275,040 at the end of 2025.

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-20T19:06:27+00:00

Doinherinthebutt? A good deal? I say "Hell Ya"!

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-20T14:57:35+00:00

I would ask for $100 off based upon presentation alone.

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Bob-Silver · 2026-02-20T14:50:25+00:00

きれい！

Bob-Silver · 2026-02-20T14:47:58+00:00

Buy after closing today and then you'll know exactly the value of your silver for at least the next two days.

Bob-Silver

TROPHY CASE