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For bargain hunters, Costco has long been a go-to destination. The department store giant famously still sells its hot dog and soda combo for $1.50, the same price it launched it at in the mid-1980s. But not all Costco items have maintained their price as stubbornly as the hot dog combo.
Case in point: gold bars.
In late 2023, Costco began selling 1-ounce gold bars. At the time, buyers could choose between two types: the PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna Veriscan bar and the Rand Refinery bar, priced at $1,979.99 and $1,949.99, respectively, according to Business Insider. Despite the high price, both quickly became big sellers (1).
Fast forward to today and not much has changed except the price.
As of December 2025, the Pamp Suisse bar sells for $4,119.99, an increase of 108% (2).
The price increase is in line with the broader gold market, which has risen approximately 65% over the course of 2025. What is more surprising is the continued demand.
Customers are now restricted to “one transaction per membership, with a maximum of 4 units per 24 hours,” according to Costco’s website (3).
Gold has long been seen as a way to preserve purchasing power. Unlike fiat currencies, central banks cannot print them at will.
It is also considered a classic safe haven. Gold is not tied to any country, currency or economy, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors often flock to it, driving up prices.
That’s exactly what seems to be happening now. Markets are being shaken by tariff uncertainty, rising deficits and global tensions, and gold has emerged as a rare bright spot.
Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, also highlighted the importance of gold as part of a resilient portfolio.
“People typically don’t have an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” he told CNBC. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier (4).”
Gold reached a peak price of $4,371.78 per ounce in October, and many experts expect it to continue rising as the stock market outlook becomes unstable (5).
Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150 billion fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)’
While Costco has imposed purchase limits on its gold bars, many bullion dealers still offer gold coins and bars without such restrictions. Just be sure to check the premium: Dealers (including Costco) typically sell gold at a markup on the spot price.
One method that many people use to invest in gold is a self-directed gold IRA.
A gold IRA allows you to invest in gold and other precious metals in physical form while offering the significant tax advantages of an IRA.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can check out some of Moneywise’s best gold IRA options to compare your options for free. Just keep in mind that gold is usually best used as part of a well-diversified portfolio.
Gold isn’t the only asset investors turn to to preserve their purchasing power: real estate has also proven to be a powerful tool.
When inflation rises, property values often rise as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to increase, providing landlords with an income stream that adjusts for inflation.
Over the past five years, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller US NSA National Home Price Index has increased more than 50%, reflecting strong demand and limited supply of housing (6).
Of course, high home prices can make buying a home more difficult, especially when mortgage rates are still high. And being a landlord isn’t exactly a hands-off job. Tenant management, maintenance, and repairs can quickly consume your time (and your returns).
The good news? You don’t have to buy a property outright (or deal with leaky faucets) to invest in real estate today.
Homeshares provides accredited investors access to the billions in locked-in equity held in owner-occupied homes.
Instead of purchasing properties, investors participate through a portfolio of home equity agreements (HEAs), which allow homeowners to unlock cash with no monthly payments, while investors share in future appreciation.
The result is exposure to a large, undertapped market in major U.S. cities, without the headaches of ownership or the risk of being overleveraged.
HEAs come with built-in protection: They typically cover 25 to 35% of a home’s value in a lien-secured position, helping protect your investment if the market declines. And unlike traditional real estate, HEAs also tend to be resilient to changes in interest rates and offer attractive, risk-adjusted returns even during economic uncertainty.
With diversified portfolios of high-quality homes and target returns of 14% to 17%, Homeshares offers a convenient way to gain exposure to a growing segment of the housing market.
Another way to invest in real estate is through crowdfunding platforms like Arrived, which make it easier to get a piece of that pie.
Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived lets you invest in rental home stocks with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing the lawn, fixing leaky faucets, or dealing with difficult tenants.
The process is simple: browse a select selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you would like to purchase and then sit back as you begin receiving positive rental income distributions from your investment.
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Business insider information (1); Costco (2); Entrepreneur (3); CNBC (4); GoldPrice.org (5); S&P Global (6)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
