If you’re stressed by the stock market’s wild swings this week, it might be time to diversify. These five investment ideas outside the stock market are fun to collect and can pay pretty big dividends.
#5: Lego
They hurt to step on but could tickle the wallet. Just be sure to keep them in the original packaging. Unopened Lego sets on secondary markets grow on average 11% annually, even during the 2008 Financial Crisis when every other asset class got decimated. The rare Mr. Gold was released in 2013 for $2.99 and today will cost (or make) over $5,000.
#4: Art
Contemporary art has averaged a 14% annual return over 25 years compared to 9.5% for the S&P 500. While most investors don’t have money to purchase a Warhol or a Da Vinci, online platforms like Masterworks now allow the average Jane a chance to buy fractional shares of art.
#3: Sports memorabilia
2021 was a big year for old sports cards, jerseys and tickets. Now, with NFTs, fans are pouring cash into exclusive digital items tied to their teams, like an autographed jersey or a game highlight. Consulting firm Deloitte projects up to five million sports fans will be buying and selling crypto collectibles by the end of this year.
#2: Comic books
The Fed always prints money, but no one is printing more of these vintage collectibles. Superman’s first appearance in a 1938 edition that sold for 10 cents was purchased in 2014 for $3 million. Plus, there’s always plenty of comic book conventions for when you need to sell in a hurry.
#1: Wine
Fine wines really do get better with age. Over the last 15 years, wine has offered annualized returns of 13.6%, often smashing global equities. A 12-bottle case of 1988 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fetched $305,000 last year. Even if the price drops, you can at least drink the wine, which is more anyone can say for stock certificates.
