I have followed billionaire Peter Schiff for years now. He is CEO of Euro Pacific Capital and does rather well in the gold industry. Go to schiffgold.com and look at the "getting started" thread. They have compiled information on buying, selling, pitfalls, taxes, etc. Peter Schiff has vouched for the information therein. You can talk via chat or phone with an advisor there to see what's right for your budget.
I put up lots of metals in case things go to shit. In the form of lead and copper.