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system
can i invest in gold through vanguard (or another instrument that should perform well in financial crisis)?
user
i found a comparison of stock and bond returns.  the relevant portion here is that bonds went up by 10% in 2007 and 20% in 2008 (32% compounded).  stocks were already recovering in 2009, going up almost 26%.   you don't mention what you were hoping to get from your gold investment, but bonds gave a very good return for those two years.
assistant