San Francisco man purchased 1 small Costco product in April of 2024 then resold it for a US$600 profit only 11 months later — Here's how to mimic his savvy move

Everyone knows Costco is a great place to stock up — whether you’re in the mood for a giant cheesecake or a kayak you didn’t plan to buy. But did you know the warehouse giant could also be a surprising stop for investors?

Just ask personal finance influencer Humphrey Yang.

In April 2024, Yang purchased a one-ounce gold bar from Costco for US$2,359.99. This past March, he walked into a gold dealership in San Francisco and filmed the moment he sold it for cash.

“Right now, we’re paying US$2,955.42 [per ounce],” an employee told him.

With the spot price for an ounce of gold hovering around US$3,020 at the time, Yang agreed to the deal — noting the price was reasonable given dealers typically buy slightly below market value.

Moments later, Yang walked out with a stack of bills and a simple takeaway.

“That was surprisingly easy,” he said. “US$2,955 — that means I made a profit of US$596 over the past 11 months or so.” The exact amount was US$595.43.

Gold prices have been surging recently. Since Yang sold his gold bar, the price has increased to approximately US$3,300 per ounce. Goldman Sachs has raised its year-end forecast for gold from US$3,300 to US$3,700 — with a projected range of US$3,650 to US$3,950 — according to multiple news outlets.

Why gold still shines in 2025

Gold has long served as a store of value — and that hasn’t changed. Unlike fiat currencies, the glittering metal can’t be printed at will by central banks, making it a powerful hedge against inflation and monetary instability.

It’s also long been viewed as the ultimate safe haven. Gold isn’t tied to any one country, currency or economy, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors tend to pile in — driving up its value.

That may help explain why, while markets are getting whipsawed by tariff uncertainty and global tensions, gold has emerged as a bright spot. Over the past 12 months, the price of the precious metal has surged by more than 40%. According to Canada Gold ,Gold is currently worth CA$147.11 per gram.

Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, recently highlighted gold’s role in a resilient portfolio.

“People don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” Dalio told CNBC in February. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”

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A time-tested income play: Real estate

Gold isn’t the only asset investors turn to during inflationary times. Real estate has also proven to be a powerful hedge.

When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labour and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.

Of course, high home prices can make buying a home more challenging, even if interest rates are trending downward. And being a landlord isn’t exactly hands-off work — managing tenants, maintenance and repairs can quickly eat into your time (and returns).

But, you don't need to buy a property outright — or deal with leaky faucets — to invest in real estate today. There are alternatives to real estate investing you can consider.

Sources

1. Canada Gold: Gold Spot Prices Today