Recently, there have been stories occasionally heard in coffee shops near Korean markets.

People say, "I should have bought silver when Mr. Park suggested it back then."

Ten years ago, if you mentioned buying silver bars or coins, most people would have tilted their heads in confusion.

These days, while the surge in gold prices is understandable, many questioned silver's value, asking if it wasn't just an industrial metal, if it was too volatile, and if it wasn't a hassle to store.

However, some retirees who quietly accumulated silver back then are now smiling with satisfaction as they have struck it rich.

In the mid-2010s, silver prices were so stagnant that it was almost boring.

They fluctuated around $15 per ounce, and the news always treated silver as a secondary asset compared to gold, which was seen as a safe haven.

With the stock market doing well and real estate prices rising, there seemed to be no reason to buy heavy and cumbersome silver bars.

But some people nearing retirement thought differently. They believed that tangible assets were better than cash that earned no interest, and since gold seemed to have already risen significantly, they chose relatively undervalued silver.

The common trait among these individuals was their lack of impatience.

They did not expect short-term profits and gradually bought small amounts of silver bars or coins each month or year.

They didn't check prices daily like with stocks. They simply stored them in a safe or bank safety deposit box and forgot about them.

After retirement, they covered their living expenses with pensions and other assets, while silver served as a form of insurance.

As time passed, the situation began to change.

With inflation concerns rising and increasing anxiety about the value of the dollar, tangible assets started to gain attention again.

Silver prices, which had been quiet, began to rise, and this year they surged, leading to significant profits.

If someone had invested $10,000 in silver each year for ten years, the total investment would be $100,000.

Consistently buying for ten years would result in a total holding of about 4,500 ounces.

The current value would be approximately $458,000, resulting in an estimated profit of about $358,000.

This isn't a story of becoming an overnight millionaire. If you're a California resident, you'd also have to pay about 30% in taxes.

Instead, what's impressive is that this result was achieved without significant stress and regardless of market noise.

These individuals use the term "struck it rich" while also saying they felt "at ease."

They didn't cry or laugh over daily fluctuations, nor did they lose sleep over it.

Of course, investing in silver isn't the answer for everyone. There are storage issues, and one must consider taxes and liquidity.

However, the interesting point in this story is the attitude rather than the return itself. It highlights the results of those who chose a less glamorous asset when others weren't interested and made time work in their favor.

These days, many people are regretting not investing in silver as they watch the prices rise.