<prompt> Human: While browsing on my phone last night, I came across this ad recommending holding real gold and silver in a self directed IRA account. Please do not follow this advice. Its horrible and Reddit should be ashamed of selling this type of advertising to their users.Edit: I want to thank the rpersonalfinance moderator udequeued and Reddit admin uliltrixxy for their quick attention and response in resolving this. Edit 2: I know I spelled ads wrong in the title. I, like most people, fall for common homonyms when typing fast and posting without proofing. Edit 3: Thank you reddit for correcting my grammar because it does matter.Edit 4: I do use an ad blocker but this is on the reddit app on my phone. Edit 5: See this thread for why its a bad idea to hold physical gold andor silver in a self directed IRA. tl;dr: Placing a physical commodity inside a tax advantaged account is pointless because it doesnt produce earnings, it sits. Self directed IRAs open you up to fraud. Fees you have to pay a special custodian. Cost of storage. When RMD hits, your stash of gold will be valued and your RMDs will be based off that valuation and physical gold will start being sold off to meet the RMD regardless of what they can sell for and with disregard to future valuation. Lack of diversification. High volatility, etc. See uSIaves comment about the difference in earning between physical gold and the stock market and ubenny_kurrells comment  <response>: Trying to hail the Cash Cab is better financial advice. 