The company I worked for eliminated my job, cut my wages drastically to place me in an entry level job and then tried to work me like a healthy 20 year old 12 hours a day at least 3 to 4 days a week. I did it for a month and moved on to another low paying company hoping to move upward once again. Didn't work out so I jumped to other job offers until finally ending up where I am currently. Seems it took me most of my life to get to the top and I am now working my way back to the bottom? Lot of co-workers with me now that have suffered the same cost saving moves by companies in the past few years.
I have done just the opposite of you as I was collecting silver Euro's and other foreign coins very heavily until my bubble burst! Now I am mostly silver, silver bullion or U.S. coins once again. As for the gold well I don't care what country its from when I can afford to buy it but gold is scarce in this area and has been for quite some time. My little guy has picked up a couple of pieces the past few months and I have managed one British half soverign. Guess that is better than nothing!