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Costco has long been a go-to destination for bargain hunters. Famously, the warehouse giant still sells hot dog and soda combos for $1.50 — the same price they introduced in the mid-1980s. But not all Costco items remain as stubbornly priceless as the hot dog combos.
Case in point: gold bars.
In late 2023, Costco will begin selling 1-ounce gold bars. At the time, shoppers could choose from two styles: the PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna Veriscan bar and the Rand Refinery bar, priced at $1,979.99 and $1,949.99 respectively, Business Insider reported. Despite their pricey price, both quickly became best-sellers(1).
Fast forward to today, and not much has changed except for the price.
As of December 2025, Pamp Suisse chocolate bars sell for $4,119.99, an increase of 108% (2).
The price increase is in line with the broader gold market, which has surged about 65% in 2025. Even more surprising is the continued demand.
According to the Costco website, customers are now limited to “one transaction per member, with a maximum of 4 items per 24 hours” (3).
Gold has long been seen as a way to maintain purchasing power. Unlike fiat currency, it cannot be printed at will by central banks.
It is also considered a classic haven. Gold is not tied to any one country, currency or economy, and during times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors tend to flock to gold, driving up prices.
This is exactly what is happening now. Gold has emerged as a rare bright spot as markets have been hammered by tariff uncertainty, rising deficits and global tensions.
Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, also emphasized the importance of gold as part of a resilient investment portfolio.
“People generally don’t have a sufficient amount of gold in their portfolios,” he told CNBC. “Gold is a very effective diversifier when the economy is sluggish(4).”
Gold prices peaked at $4,371.78 per ounce in October, and many experts expect gold prices to continue rising as the stock market outlook becomes unstable(5).
Learn more: Warren Buffett turned $9,800 into a $150B fortune using 8 solid, repeatable money rules. Start using them to get rich (and stay rich) today.”
Although Costco imposes purchasing restrictions on its gold bars, many gold bullion dealers still offer gold coins and bars without such restrictions. Be sure to check premiums – dealers (including Costco) often sell gold at a premium to the spot price.
One method many people use to invest in gold is a self-directed gold IRA.
A gold IRA allows you to invest in gold and other precious metals in physical form 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. Keep in mind that gold is generally best used as part of a diversified portfolio.
Gold isn’t the only asset investors use to maintain purchasing power – real estate is proving to be a powerful tool, too.
When inflation rises, property values typically rise as well, reflecting rising costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to rise, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.
The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has increased by more than 50% over the past five years, reflecting strong demand and limited housing supply (6).
Of course, high home prices can make buying a home more challenging, especially if mortgage rates remain high. Being a landlord is not a completely hands-off job. Managing tenants, maintenance, and repairs can quickly eat up your time (and rewards).
Good news? Today, you don’t have to buy a property outright or deal with a leaky faucet to invest in real estate.
Homeshares gives accredited investors access to billions of dollars in locked-in equity in owner-occupied homes.
Rather than buying a property, investors participate through a home equity agreement (HEA) portfolio – allowing homeowners to free up cash without making monthly payments, while investors share in the future appreciation.
The result is that you gain exposure to a large, untapped market in top U.S. cities without the hassle of becoming a landlord or the risk of over-leveraging.
HEAs have built-in protection: They typically cover 25% to 35% of the home’s value in the form of a lien, which helps protect your investment if the market declines. Unlike traditional real estate, HEAs are also generally resilient to changes in interest rates, providing attractive risk-adjusted returns even in times of economic uncertainty.
With a diversified portfolio of high-quality homes and a target return of 14% to 17%, Homeshares offers you a practical way to gain exposure to a growing segment of the property market.
Another way to invest in real estate is through crowdfunding platforms like Arrived, which makes it easier for you to get a piece of the pie.
Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in rental housing stock for as little as $100 without having to mow lawns, fix leaky faucets, or deal with difficult tenants.
The process is simple: Browse carefully selected homes that have been vetted for appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you want to purchase, then sit back and start reaping any positive rental income distribution 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 considered advice. It is provided without any warranty of any kind.