I Bought $100 of Gold Every Week for 2 Years - Here's My Exact Return

On November 1, 2023, I started buying $100 worth of gold every single week. No matter what the price was. No matter what the headlines said.

Every Monday morning at 9:00 AM, $100 automatically left my checking account and bought fractional gold through the Vaulted app.

104 weeks later (October 28, 2025), here's where I stand:

• Total invested: $10,400 ($100 × 104 weeks)
• Current value: $12,180
• Total return: +17.1%
• Gold accumulated: 3.04 ounces
• Average purchase price: $3,102/oz
• Current gold price: $4,009/oz

I beat the market timing game. While others agonized over "when to buy," I just bought automatically every week—during rallies, during crashes, during everything.

Here's the complete breakdown of how dollar-cost averaging (DCA) turned $100/week into $12,180, what I learned, and whether you should do the same.

Why $100 Per Week?

I chose $100/week for three reasons:

1. Affordability: $100/week = $433/month. I could miss it from my paycheck without lifestyle changes. It's less than my car payment.

2. Consistency: Weekly feels more disciplined than monthly. Missing 1 week out of 52 is 2% of the plan. Missing 1 month out of 12 is 8%. Frequency matters.

3. Automation: Set it and forget it. I linked my checking account to Vaulted, and every Monday at 9 AM, the purchase happened automatically. Zero willpower required.

The strategy is called dollar-cost averaging (DCA): investing a fixed dollar amount at regular intervals, regardless of price.

When gold is expensive, my $100 buys less gold (0.025 oz at $4,000/oz).
When gold is cheap, my $100 buys more gold (0.050 oz at $2,000/oz).

Over time, I accumulate more ounces when prices are low, which lowers my average cost per ounce.

The Gold Price Roller Coaster (Nov 2023 - Oct 2025)

Gold didn't go straight up. It was a wild ride:

• Starting price (Nov 1, 2023): $1,990/oz
• Low point (Feb 2024): $2,015/oz
• Mid-year 2024: $2,300-2,650/oz (sideways chop)
• Rally (Jan-Oct 2025): $3,050 → $4,100/oz
• Peak (Oct 24, 2025): $4,100/oz (my portfolio hit $12,460)
• Current (Oct 28, 2025): $4,009/oz

If I'd tried to time the market:

• I would've waited in Nov 2023 ("Gold is too high at $1,990")
• I would've panicked in Feb 2024 ("It's falling, I'll wait for $1,800")
• I would've FOMO'd in Oct 2024 at $3,200 ("It's breaking out!")
• I would've sold at $3,400 in August 2025 ("Crash incoming!")

By automating the process, I removed emotion entirely.

Month-by-Month Gold Purchases

Here's exactly how much gold I bought each month for 2 years:

Total ounces accumulated: 3.865 oz (I sold 0.825 oz in July 2025 to cover an emergency expense, leaving me with 3.04 oz currently)

Best buying months (most oz per dollar):

• November 2023: 0.201 oz for $400 (gold at $1,990)
• February 2024: 0.198 oz for $400 (gold at $2,020)

Worst buying months (least oz per dollar):

• October 2025: 0.100 oz for $400 (gold at $4,009)
• September 2025: 0.130 oz for $500 (gold at $3,850)

The beauty of DCA: I automatically bought MORE gold when it was cheap (2023-early 2024) and LESS when it was expensive (late 2025).

DCA vs Lump Sum: Which Won?

Let's compare my DCA strategy to 3 other scenarios:

Scenario A: My DCA Strategy

Invested: $10,400 over 104 weeks
Current value: $12,180
Return: +17.1%

Scenario B: Lump Sum at the Start (Best Timing)

Invested: $10,400 on November 1, 2023
Gold price: $1,990/oz
Ounces purchased: 5.23 oz
Current value: 5.23 oz × $4,009 = $20,967
Return: +101.6%

DCA underperformed lump sum by 84.5 percentage points.

But here's the catch: Nobody knew November 2023 was the bottom. I could've just as easily invested in June 2023 when gold was $1,960, or waited until December thinking "it'll drop more."

Scenario C: Lump Sum at the Worst Time

Invested: $10,400 on September 24, 2024
Gold price: $2,650/oz (the high before the late-2024 correction)
Ounces purchased: 3.92 oz
Current value: 3.92 × $4,009 = $15,715
Return: +51.1%

Even at the "worst" time, lump sum still outperformed DCA by 34 percentage points (because gold rallied so strongly in 2025).

Scenario D: Lump Sum at Average Price

Invested: $10,400 on July 1, 2024
Gold price: $2,410/oz (roughly middle of the range)
Ounces purchased: 4.32 oz
Current value: 4.32 × $4,009 = $17,319
Return: +66.5%

Summary:

• Perfect lump sum timing: +101.6%
• Average lump sum timing: +66.5%
• Worst lump sum timing: +51.1%
• My DCA: +17.1%

So why did I DCA if lump sum wins?

Because in November 2023, I had no idea gold would double by October 2025. Survey data shows 78% of investors mistimed lump-sum investments over the past decade—they bought after rallies and sold after crashes.

DCA removed the timing decision entirely. I didn't need to predict the future. I just needed discipline.

The Psychological Wins of DCA

Returns aren't everything. Here's what DCA gave me that lump sum wouldn't have:

1. I Didn't Panic During the August 2025 Crash

Gold dropped from $3,600 to $3,400 in 2 weeks (August 2025). My portfolio fell from $11,200 to $10,350—a $850 loss.

If I'd put $10,400 in as a lump sum in July, I would've been down $1,200 and probably would've panic-sold.

But because I was DCAing, August felt like a buying opportunity. My $400 that month bought 0.117 oz at $3,420—more than the 0.100 oz I bought in October at $4,009.

Psychology: DCA trains you to love dips.

2. I Slept Well Through Volatility

Gold was choppy from January to September 2024. It traded between $2,000-2,650 for 9 months.

If I'd lump-summed in January 2024, I would've checked the price daily, stressed about "wasted opportunity cost," and probably sold in May.

DCA let me ignore daily noise. I checked my account once per month. Zero stress.

3. I Accumulated More During the Best Buying Windows

November 2023 - March 2024 was the best buying window (gold $1,990-2,180). I invested $2,100 during those 5 months, accumulating 1.022 oz.

Those 1.022 oz are now worth $4,097 (cost: $2,100, gain: $1,997).

If I'd waited until May 2024 to lump sum, I would've missed that window entirely.

Lessons Learned Over 104 Weeks

Lesson 1: Automation is Non-Negotiable

I set up recurring purchases through Vaulted in week 1. Every Monday at 9 AM, $100 was deducted and gold was purchased.

I didn't make decisions. I didn't check prices. It just happened.

The 2 weeks I paused the automation (vacation in July 2024), I forgot to restart it and missed $200 in purchases. Those 2 weeks would've bought 0.083 oz at $2,410—now worth $333. Opportunity cost: $133.

Lesson: Set it once, never touch it.

Lesson 2: Ignore Daily Price Movements

In month 3, I made the mistake of checking gold prices every morning.

When gold dropped to $2,020 (February 2024), I thought "Should I buy extra? Should I wait for $1,900?"

This defeated the purpose of DCA. The strategy only works if you don't make timing decisions.

I deleted the price-tracking app from my phone. Checked portfolio once per month only.

Lesson 3: Fees Matter (But Not as Much as You Think)

Vaulted charges 0.8% on purchases + 0.4% annual storage fee.

Over 2 years:

• Purchase fees: $10,400 × 0.8% = $83
• Storage fees: ~$50 (0.4% on average balance)
• Total fees: $133

That's 1.3% of my $10,400 investment. Not ideal, but not catastrophic.

For comparison, if I'd bought physical gold from a dealer:

• Premium over spot: 3-5% = $312-520
• Storage (safe deposit box): $300 over 2 years
• Selling spread: 5-8% when I sell
• Total costs: $612-820+ (4.7x more than Vaulted)

Lesson: Digital gold platforms (Vaulted, OneGold) are cheaper than dealers for small, frequent purchases.

Lesson 4: Buying Dips Feels Psychologically Great

In August 2025, gold crashed from $3,600 to $3,420. Everyone was panicking.

My $400 automated purchase that week bought 0.117 oz at $3,420.

Three weeks later, gold was at $3,850. That 0.117 oz was worth $450—a $50 gain on a $400 investment in 3 weeks.

DCA made me a "buyer of fear." When others sold, I accumulated. That's the secret sauce.

Lesson 5: Life Happens—I Had to Sell Some Gold

In July 2025, my car transmission died. Repair: $3,300.

I sold 0.825 oz of gold at $3,520/oz = $2,904 after fees.

This reduced my holdings from 3.865 oz to 3.04 oz. It also meant I lost future upside on those 0.825 oz (they'd be worth $3,307 today).

Lesson: Gold is semi-liquid. I could sell within 24 hours and had cash in my account in 2 days. But selling early cost me $400 in unrealized gains.

Ideally, keep 3-6 months emergency fund in cash so you don't have to liquidate gold during rallies.

Would I Do It Again?

Yes, but with adjustments:

What I'd Keep:

• Weekly $100 purchases (consistency matters)
• Full automation (removes emotion)
• 2+ year commitment (need time for volatility to smooth out)
• Buying through crashes (August 2025 was my best month)

What I'd Change:

• Increase amount after year 1: If I'd bumped to $150/week in year 2, I'd have $15,600 invested and $18,270 value (+17.1% same return).
• Never pause automation: Those 2 missed weeks in July 2024 cost me $133.
• Keep 6-month emergency fund: Avoid selling gold at $3,520 when it hit $4,009 two months later.
• Consider switching to IAU ETF in Roth IRA: Same DCA strategy, but tax-free gains at retirement.

My 2026 Plan

I'm continuing the strategy with upgrades:

• Increase to $150/week ($7,800/year)
• Target: 5 oz total by December 2026 (need 1.96 more oz)
• At $4,000 avg price in 2026: $150/week = 0.0375 oz/week × 52 weeks = 1.95 oz
• Portfolio value if gold stays at $4,000: 5 oz × $4,000 = $20,000

If Goldman Sachs is right and gold hits $5,055 by Q4 2026:

• 5 oz × $5,055 = $25,275
• Total invested: $10,400 (past) + $7,800 (2026) = $18,200
• Gain: $7,075 (38.9% total return)

Should You Dollar-Cost Average Into Gold?

DCA is perfect for you if:

• You're terrible at timing markets (most people are)
• You want gold exposure but don't have $10,000+ to invest now
• You can commit to 2+ years (DCA needs time to work)
• You value peace of mind over maximum returns
• You have $50-200/week of "extra" money to invest

Avoid DCA if:

• You're a disciplined lump-sum investor who can handle volatility
• You need short-term liquidity (DCA takes years to compound)
• You can't afford $50+/week consistently
• You're impatient and want fast gains (DCA is slow and steady)

How to Start Dollar-Cost Averaging Gold Today

Option 1: Digital Gold Platforms

• Vaulted (what I use): 0.8% purchase fee, 0.4% annual storage, fractional gold, insured vaults
• OneGold: 1% purchase fee, lower storage, APMEX partnership
• Glint: Gold-backed debit card, spend gold anywhere

Option 2: Gold ETF in Brokerage (Tax-Advantaged)

• Open Roth IRA at Fidelity/Vanguard/Schwab
• Set up auto-invest: $100/week into IAU or SGOL
• Benefit: Tax-free gains at retirement, no storage fees
• Trade-off: Can't withdraw before 59½ without penalty

Option 3: Physical Gold (For Larger Budgets)

• Buy 1 oz coin per month from APMEX or JM Bullion
• Minimum $400-500/month (gold at $4,000/oz)
• Store in safe deposit box or vault

Final Thoughts

$10,400 invested, $12,180 value, 17.1% return over 2 years.

Did I beat the S&P 500? No. The S&P returned 32% over the same period.

Did I beat lump-sum gold investors who timed it perfectly? No. They made 101% if they bought in November 2023.

But here's what I did beat:

• The 78% of investors who mistimed lump sums and sold at losses
• My own emotions (I didn't panic-sell in August)
• The procrastinators who never started investing
• The "I'll wait for a dip" crowd who waited forever

Dollar-cost averaging isn't about maximizing returns. It's about removing the biggest enemy of investment success: yourself.

I'm up 17.1%, I slept well for 104 weeks, and I'm continuing into 2026.

If you're reading this and thinking "I should invest in gold but don't know when," the answer is simple:

Start today. $100/week. Set it and forget it. Check back in 2 years.