5 Alternative Investment Ideas To Add To Your Portfolio

Investing is a great way to grow your wealth and secure your financial future. But let's face it, the traditional investment options like stocks, bonds, and real estate can be complicated and intimidating to get involved in for new investors; and for more experienced investors, you'll likely already have a portfolio built up of stocks and shares.

If you're looking to get started with investing but aren't ready to start learning the intricacies of stock market trading, or if you're simply looking for something a bit more exciting to add to your portfolio, there are plenty of alternative investment ideas that you can choose. To get you started, here are five alternative investment options you could consider today, like investing in silver bars, as opposed to gold.

Fine Wines

This is a fairly recent investment trend, and it doesn't just involve fine wines. These fall under the umbrella of alternative assets and essentially include real-world items that are of a distinct value which will naturally appreciate in value over time. A particularly good vintage wine that you buy today, such as a Bordeaux red from labels like Lafite Rothschild or Lafleur, could make you a significant profit in a few years.

For example, you could buy a case of six bottles of Carruades de Lafite 2021 for around £1500. In two years, that price could increase by around 30% or more, as demonstrated by the fact that you can buy the Carruades de Lafite 2019 vintage for just over £2000 today. You can also invest in whiskeys and other spirits from renowned producers, as they all generally become better and rarer with age.

Cryptocurrency

The chances are that you have heard this word a lot recently and for a good reason. Cryptocurrencies are a fascinating and intriguing topic, which has led many to invest in them over the past few years, with the incredible success found by Bitcoin investors when it shot up in value in 2017 and continued to fluctuate until late 2020 when it then went through the roof in March 2021. These price booms of Bitcoin led some lucky and savvy investors to make astronomical sums of money, turning some people into overnight millionaires.

While the chance of these cryptocurrency investments making people rich in the same way is a distant dream now, they can still be a great addition to a portfolio. Remember, however, that while cryptocurrencies can make you some good profits, this is in part due to their volatility in the markets. That same volatility can cause you to lose money, too, so be wary. Never invest more than you're willing to lose on anything.

Personal Number Plates

Certain personal number plate combinations can often sell for quite a high price. Many people enjoy personalizing their car, either with their initials, or a combination that means something to them. For as an investor, you should analyze what combinations are popular, and find the different ways you can purchase them. Fortunately, there are services online that make this easier for you. Regtransfers are experts regarding personal number plates for vehicles, and they can help you understand this industry. If utilized right, this could be a very lucrative opportunity for you. Number plates generally increase in value over time, and finding one that is a popular word, nickname, or abbreviation could net you a significant profit if you time things right.

Angel Investments

If you've managed to build up some significant savings, you could consider investing in a company as an angel investor. This is similar to private equity investing, whereby you'd invest money in a private company, but this tends to be an investment in a startup business with a much smaller sum of money. This helps to get the business off the ground with equipment costs, office hire, and other expenses, and if that company becomes successful, you could end up seeing an incredible return on that investment. It's also a great way to be part of the entrepreneurship journey and support the growth of a new business.

Keep in mind that investing in a startup company is considered high-risk, and there is a chance that you may not see a return on your investment. However, the potential for high returns is there, and it can be a great way to diversify your portfolio and invest in something you believe in. It's important to do your due diligence and research the company and its management team before making any investment. Consider speaking with other investors and seeking professional advice before making a decision.

Commodities

One of the more stable investment options, which many investors tend to be involved in at some level, is commodity trading. Commodities are things like precious metals and oil, and they tend to retain their value somewhat while keeping in line with things like inflation. This is why people use commodities as a way to hedge their finances against inflation, buying things like gold instead of leaving their funds in a low-interest bank account where they would otherwise lose value. Additionally, it is also a way to take advantage of global market trends and fluctuations, still offering you a slight chance to turn a profit with a lower risk than many other investments.