For many households, saving feels like an impossible task. Rising borrowing costs, higher living expenses and slow wage growth mean little is left after the essentials are paid. So, we asked experts, “How to invest in gold when you are broke?” and financial experts explained that gold, long regarded as a store of value, can be part of a disciplined plan, even for those living paycheque to paycheque.
Elie Tarabay, Head of Partnerships MENA at Tickmill, said the starting point is not the amount invested but the habit itself. He recommends that individuals allocate 5–10% of their monthly disposable income to gold once bills, debt payments and emergency savings are covered. Consistency, he explained, is what builds resilience. Spreading purchases across months also smooths out the impact of price swings, a practice known as cost-averaging.
Gold as a safe haven
That strategy is especially relevant now. Gold has risen 26% so far in 2025, but has been locked around $3,350 an ounce for three months. Analysts at Saxo Bank describe the market as being in “stand-off mode,” supported by steady central bank buying and ETF inflows, but lacking the catalyst needed to push higher. With the Federal Reserve’s upcoming signals at Jackson Hole and labour data in focus, traders are waiting for clarity. For retail buyers, however, the current pause can be seen as an opportunity to accumulate gradually.
Investing via digital platforms
Access has also changed. Digital platforms now allow investors to start with very small amounts, sometimes just a few dirhams or dollars, lowering the barrier to entry. ETFs provide another way in, offering regulated exposure without the costs of storage or insurance. For those who prefer something tangible, coins and small bars remain an option. Jewellery, Tarabay noted, may have cultural significance but is less efficient financially because making charges and taxes eat into resale value.
Jewellery is different from an investment
The distinction between buying for lifestyle and buying for investment is important. Jewellery should be seen as consumption, whereas bars, coins, ETFs and digital platforms are designed to retain value and provide liquidity.
“Gold should be seen as a stabiliser in a broader portfolio, not as a get-rich-quick tool,” Tarabay said.
Risks exist regardless of the form. Physical holdings require safe storage, while digital and ETF investments depend on the credibility of providers. Tarabay stressed the importance of sticking to regulated platforms to reduce counterparty risk.
The macro backdrop reinforces the case for gold as a long-term holding. Central banks, particularly in emerging markets, continue to add to reserves at a record pace as they diversify away from the dollar. ETF holdings are at their highest in more than two years, while retail demand in Asia and the Middle East is increasingly shifting to digital formats. Inflation, although easing in some economies, remains high enough to keep gold relevant as a hedge.
Technical analysts are also monitoring the charts. FP Markets notes that gold is testing the lower boundary of a bullish pennant pattern that extends from $3,120, suggesting a breakout could be close. If the Fed turns dovish or economic data weakens, momentum could return quickly.
For small savers, the lesson is not to chase these moves but to build steadily. The global flows show that large institutions are already positioning gold as a long-term reserve asset. For individuals, setting aside a slice of monthly income, however modest, follows the same logic.
Gold is no longer reserved for the wealthy. Digital platforms and ETFs have made it possible for even the most cash-constrained households to participate. For those living on tight budgets, the discipline of setting aside 5–10% of disposable income can turn spare change into a meaningful hedge against uncertainty. This strategy may matter more as global markets wait for the next economic shock.
