What is worth recording
A precious-metals portfolio is more than one total. Record each purchase or lot clearly so you can still understand it later, whether it is a bar, coin, jewellery, or another physical holding.
- What you hold: metal, description, and purity where useful.
- How much: quantity and fine weight, not only gross weight.
- When you bought it: purchase date keeps the sequence and holding period clear.
- What it really cost: total cost including premiums, delivery, and other fees.
- Where it is stored: only a neutral note if useful; avoid sensitive details in an unprotected file.
Spreadsheet and app: where each helps
| Task | Spreadsheet | Tracking app |
|---|---|---|
| Document individual purchases | Very flexible once columns are well designed. | Guided entries help keep positions consistent. |
| See a current reference value | Needs a source, formulas, and regular maintenance. | Can keep reference prices and your cost basis side by side. |
| Understand a position | Possible, but fees and partial sales quickly make formulas fragile. | Keeps purchases, costs, and scenarios close to the original position. |
| Keep data private | Depends on file location, cloud sync, and backup habits. | Also depends on the product. MyGoldFolio keeps holdings on-device and lets you create your own export. |
When a spreadsheet is enough
A spreadsheet is a sound starting point when you hold only a few positions, buy or sell rarely, and are happy to maintain formulas yourself. It can also sit well beside invoices and other records.
Treat it as a maintained record rather than a one-off note: use clear columns, one weight convention, and a backup you control.
When an app becomes useful
The benefit is rarely one number. It is the recurring questions: How is this exact purchase doing? What would a certain sale price mean? Which holding is closer to break-even? Did I include all costs?
A tracking app does not make the decision for you. It makes the information behind that decision easier to read. That structure becomes valuable with mixed Gold and Silver holdings, different purchase dates, or more than one display currency.
A simple way to decide
- Will your holdings remain small and mostly unchanged? A spreadsheet may be sufficient.
- Do you genuinely update prices regularly? If not, a spreadsheet’s current value becomes historical quickly.
- Do you want to understand each purchase rather than only one total? Then position-based tracking helps.
The practical conclusion
A spreadsheet is flexible; an app is structured. There is no reason to replace a simple system that still serves you. When upkeep starts costing more time than it saves, dedicated tracking can bring clarity back.
MyGoldFolio
Keep Gold and Silver positions in view
MyGoldFolio is a private, offline-first Android app for recording Gold and Silver holdings, reference values, scenarios, and alerts.
More to explore
Practical setup · 6 min
Track Gold and Silver: 7 details to record for every purchase
Track Gold and Silver purchases with seven practical details: metal, weight, purity, date, total cost, currency, and a private reference.
Read guide
Market Basics · 7 min
Gold and Silver Premiums: Why Spot Price Is Not Your Break-Even
Learn how Gold and Silver premiums, dealer bid prices, delivery and other transaction costs affect the spot price needed to reach break-even.
Read guideFrequently asked questions
Is it worth setting up an app and entering my existing holdings?
Yes, if you want more than one total. Once each item is recorded, you can see the overall portfolio and how individual purchases are doing, filter positions, explore scenarios, and set watches or alerts. You configure it once, then let it keep watch; holdings remain private on your phone.
Do I need to keep prices and calculations up to date by hand?
No formulas need rebuilding. MyGoldFolio uses current reference-price updates for valuation and can watch the price conditions you choose. You only add or change your own transaction details when something in your portfolio changes.
Are my portfolio details private, and can I move them to another phone?
Your holdings stay on your device; there is no portfolio account or server copy. Export a backup when you choose, then import it on another device. That gives you control, but also means you should keep a safe backup.