Ask Citywire: How to buy gold, and what's a subscription share?

In the first of a new series we tackle the questions posed by readers in the Citywire Money forums.

How to buy gold

Gold recently reached a new peak above $1,250 per troy ounce, but with widespread fears about the global economy plus a host of other factors, it could well go much higher. So, as Ken Johnston asks, how do you buy it?

We don't recommend investors buy physical gold themselves - it's possible to get the same thing without the inconvenience and risk of storing it in your own safe by buying an exchange traded fund or ETF. Our pick is ETF Securities Physical Gold, which can be bought and sold on any share trading platform.

Should I convert my subscription shares?

J Ganatra asks whether to convert subscription shares in the Cayenne Trust into ordinary shares. Subscription shares allow you to buy shares at a predetermined price, and in this case looks like a good option - though it's a decision that depends on personal circumstances.

Is it the right time to buy a house?

Our reporter James Phillipps is taking his first step on to the property ladder. Citywire's Richard Lander asks if it's the right time to do so, and judging by the response from you the consensus is that no, it isn't.

In the words of one commenter:

'Think of it like the ingredients of a cake, 1 spoon of unemployment, 1 spoon of tax rises, 1 spoon of unavailable mortgages, 1 spoon of huge national debts, 1 spoon of rising prices, 1 spoon of the budget cuts, mix it altogether put in the oven and wait to see if the cake rises or sinks in the middle.

It doesnt sound like a good recipe to me.'