There are precious metal markets that also sell gold as a commodity, and of course, people invest in gold to try to make profits in gold stock picks and bullion dealers. Some people enjoy investing for short-term goal profits, and others enjoy holding onto it for a longer period of time to make a bigger profit.

Gold is very similar to other types of commodities, it rises and falls, people who trade on the short term will buy gold at the low end and sell it when it climbs making short term profits.

They may hold onto the gold for just a few moments or they may hold onto it for a day, a week or a month. This is all considered short term gold trading. And while profits are made, it's a small amount at any one time.

Long term gold traders are looking for larger profits per trade and may hold onto their gold for 6 months or a year before selling.

Those who trade gold are looking for a profit by either buying or even selling at the perfect time. And just like other commodities, you can invest in gold with a broker that trades in precious metals.

You can now look to different types of Internet trading platforms in order to trade gold. This means you do not have to go to a broker's office, and don't have to make quick phone calls in order to make your trades. In this way, the gold market has opened up to everyone, and it's very possible that everyone can make profits. It is important that you to remember that anytime you're trading on commodities that not only do you have an opportunity to make profits, but you can also lose your money.

Also important, your trading platform and your trading contract needs to be understood thoroughly. You'll want to watch how gold rises and falls in this way, you can trade and make your profits when the prices right.

If you have a retirement account you want to keep the money in there as long as possible so you want be stuck calculating 401k early withdrawal penalties.

That would be a mess. Gold can play a key role though in a retirement account or IRA. If you have a broker you need to start to talk to him about this, especially when we are headed for potentially inflationary times.