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For bargain hunters, Costco has long been a go-to destination. The warehouse giant still sells its hot dog and soda combo for $1.50 — the price it started with back in the mid-1980s. But not every Costco item holds its 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, shoppers could choose between two varieties: the PAMP Swiss Lady Fortuna Variscan Bar and the Rand Refinery Bar, which cost $1,979.99 and $1,949.99, respectively, according to Business Insider. Despite the hefty price tag, both quickly became hot sellers (1).
Fast forward to today, and not much has changed – except for the price.
As of December 2025, the Pamp Suisse bar sells for $4,119.99, an increase of 108% (2).
The jump in prices is in line with the broader gold market, which is up nearly 65% through 2025. Even more surprising is the constant demand.
Customers are now restricted to “one transaction per member, maximum 4 units per 24 hours,” according to the Costco website (3).
Gold has long been seen as a means of preserving purchasing power. Unlike fiat currencies, it cannot be printed at will by central banks.
It is also considered a classic safe haven. Gold is not tied to any one country, currency or economy, and during times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors often flock to it – driving up prices.
That seems to be exactly what is happening now. Markets are reeling from tariff uncertainty, mounting deficits and global tensions – and gold has emerged as a rare bright spot.
Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, also highlighted the importance of gold as part of a flexible portfolio.
“People don’t have enough gold in their portfolios,” he told CNBC. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective hedge (4).”
The price of gold reached $4,371.78 per ounce in October, and many experts expect it to continue rising as the stock market outlook shakes (5).
Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)’
While Costco imposes 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) usually sell gold at a markup over 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 physical forms of gold and other precious metals while also providing the significant tax advantages of an IRA.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can check out some of Moneywise’s top picks for gold IRAs to compare your options for free. Just keep in mind that gold is often used as part of a well-diversified portfolio.
Gold isn’t the only property investors have turned to to protect their purchasing power – real estate has also proven to be a powerful tool.
When inflation rises, property prices often rise, reflecting higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income increases, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.
Over the past five years, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller US National Home Price NSA Index has risen more than 50%, reflecting strong demand and limited housing supply (6).
Of course, higher home prices can make buying a home more challenging, especially with mortgage rates still higher. And being a landlord is not a far-fetched task. Tenants, maintenance and upkeep can quickly eat into your time (and returns).
Good news? Investing in real estate today doesn’t require you to buy real estate — or deal with leaky faucets.
Homeshares gives accredited investors access to billions in locked-in equity sitting in owner-occupied homes.
Instead of buying properties, investors participate through a portfolio of Home Equity Agreements (HEAs) – allowing homeowners to unlock cash with no monthly payments, while investors share in future appreciation.
The result is exposure to a large, under-tapped market in top US cities, without the headaches of being a landlord or the risk of overleveraging.
HEAs come with built-in protection: They typically cover 25 to 35% of the home’s value in a lien-secured position, helping to protect your investment when the market declines. And unlike traditional real estate, HEAs are also generally resilient to interest rate changes, providing attractive, risk-adjusted returns even during times of economic uncertainty.
With a diversified portfolio of high-quality homes and a target return of 14% to 17%, Homeshares offers a practical way to gain exposure to a growing corner of the real estate market.
Another way to invest in real estate is through crowdfunding platforms like Arrived, which makes it easy to get yourself a slice of that pie.
Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrive allows you to invest in rental properties for as little as $100 without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.
The process is simple: browse a curated 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 want to buy, and then sit back as you begin to receive any positive rental income distributions from your investment.
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Business Insider (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.
