<prompt> Human: I have the opportunity to win some money in a work related contest. There is a choice between 5000 in cash or 5000 in gold. 5,000 cash would be nice as I just booked a trip to Mexico and could use the money. I understand that gold better for investment reasons, but how long would I have to hold onto the gold for it to be worth the wait?  <response>: There are many TV and radio ads claiming that gold is a great investment, but it is speculation and not really an investment. Unlike savings accounts, bonds, REITs, or dividend-paying stocks, gold does not create cash for you every quarter. It just sits there as you hope the price rises. Take the cash. 