“The individual investor should act consistently as an investor and not as a speculator.” – Ben Graham
Investing in stocks or bonds is not the only way to make your money grow. Well,
Here are other alternatives, albeit odd, that can help you give your finances a boost:
Stamps
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Vintage stamps have their allure among collectors of these items. In fact, their value rises by about 2.6% in a year, and up to 5.4% in three years. The rarer your stamp, the higher its value.
In fact, “One 1867 9d pale straw stamp had a three-year annualized return of 26%” and “another, from 1830, had a three-year return of 23.7%.” Also, if your old stamp had unusual defects (e.g. upside down image), its returns will also be higher than the conventional ones.
Swine
In America, lean hogs are the top sources of pork. As such, it pays to invest in this agricultural commodity due to the high demand. In one year, there was a gain of over 50%; over three years yielded 11.5% gain.
Wine
Wine is one of those consumables that get even better with age. As such, so does its value. However, not all wines are alike. A select number of them are worth your investment.
Chateau Pavie wine, for one, is a viable choice as it’s been observed to perform well in the past years. This wine is from France’s Bordeaux region, and its 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2004 vintages considerably gave good returns. A three-year annualized return for the 2004 vintage reached 24%.
Musicians
Ever heard of Lou Pearlman? He was the guy who discovered and backed the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, two of the hottest boybands in the 90s and early 2000s. With the massive success of these two groups, the man also became very wealthy. However, he later got incarcerated for money crimes, which is a different matter altogether.
You can do a Pearlman yourself, albeit on a minor scale. Invest in independent bands looking for funding for their album. There are legitimate websites that cater to this, as well as crowdfunding sites. You may also find talented ones in your area playing at certain clubs. You typically get your returns through royalties or interest on the money you put up.
Film or Sports Memorabilia
“Star Wars” memorabilia can fetch a good price, depending on the condition, rarity, and age. Props from a hit movie from decades ago can also reap you good returns. The same applies to baseball cards, especially the vintage and rare ones. Sports souvenirs from the 19th century can also earn you a high valuation.
Toys
Vintage stuffed bears, dolls, and games can be worth a five-figure amount. If you have old toys in good condition in the storage of your house, flea markets, or antique shops, selling them to collectors is a lucrative job. Just make sure to research on pricing and toy trends.
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Perfume
Collectors with a nose for vintage scents will snap up your old perfume. That is if it’s well preserved (fresh, not exposed to sunlight and heat) and is several decades old. Even those dating back to the 80s and 90s can still fetch a decent price, although not enough to fatten your bank account. A lot of these perfume buyers can be found on eBay. Therefore, if you’re keen on making money from scents, this online selling outlet is one of your options.
