Why is China experiencing deflation, the US has very mild inflation, yet gold is soaring: the debt black hole caused by deflation (investment returns < debt interest) must be resolved through hyperinflation. At that point, people will suddenly turn to buying and spending. The surge in gold is a precursor, indicating distrust among governments toward the international currency (the US dollar), and the subsequent logic is the public's distrust of fiat currency. Hold onto some gold, keep some foreign currency, and don't sell your real estate.