We never had extra cash to purchase gold or silver. We had to use most of our retirement savings for a life-threatening medical situation for one of our children (after we retired) and haven't (and won't) be able to build it back better (or at all actually).
Sucks, but we can make it - not including debt payments.
I am the same. Debt free because my wife and I choose to live way below our means.
I think it would be fair to tell people with debt that they must pay back what they borrowed over a certain amount of time without interest. Or maybe everybody is given the same amount but those in debt much pay the debt first. I really don't like that idea but it is better than screwing over the people that were responsible with their funds.