If you have money to invest, then you probably know that there are a lot of different investment routes to explore. There are the standard textbook investment strategies, such as retirement plans, independent savings plans, and investment in things such as crypto, stocks and shares, and so on. But as well as standard investment routes, there are a lot of alternative investment routes that you can go down.

These alternative investment routes are often lesser-known, but this doesn’t mean that they are a bad way to invest your money. In fact, alternative investment plans have started to grow a lot in popularity in recent years, partially because people are seeing higher returns. But because alternative investment plans are still alternative, there is a serious lack of information about them. So, if you want to invest your money in this way, you probably want to find out more about how to do this.

In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at everything to do with alternative investment. Including what alternative investment consultants/advisors are, and what the best types of alternative investment are to give you ideas of what to research as possible routes for you. So to find out more, keep on reading.

What is an Alternative Investment?

First things first, let’s take a look at what is considered to be an alternative investment. As the name suggests, an alternative investment is an investment in anything other than the traditional investment routes. Traditional investment routes, (also known as conventional categories) include cash, bonds, and stock. So, anything outside these categories would be considered an ‘alternative investment.’

But, this still doesn’t really explain what an alternative investment is. As previously stated, this is a huge category, resulting in a wide field of different alternative investments that you could put your money into. We won’t take a look at them in too much depth just yet, but things that could be categorized as alternative investments include real estate, hedge funds, antiques, derivatives contracts, and many more.

If you are considering investing in alternative ways, it is best not to do this on your own. Investment can be difficult, and when you are just starting out, it is often very tricky to know the best routes to go down. That is why it is recommended that you consult with an advisor.

What is an Alternative Investment Advisor?

Even though the name ‘alternative investment’ gives the impression that these investment routes are lesser-known, and therefore less popular, alternative investments are actually extremely common. As an alternative investment is anything outside the traditional investment routes (cash, bonds, stock), there are a lot of things that are branded with this name.

With traditional investment, you will often visit an advisor to help you plan the best ways to invest your money and diversify your portfolio. Advisors will look at the capital that you have to invest, and what you hope to get out of your investment, then tell you what the best way to invest your money is. A lot of advisors will even take on this job for you, investing your money in the agreed routes if you want to fully hire them.

As many alternative investments become more popular, more people are beginning to take on the role of alternative investment advisors. Also sometimes known as alternative investment consultants, they essentially complete the same job as traditional investment advisors, but while solely working with alternative investments. If you are planning on investing the money that you have saved in alternative routes, it can be a great idea to speak with an alternative investment advisor before you do anything else.

What are the Main Types of Investment Alternatives?

When you meet with an advisor, they will tell you about the different options that you have in alternative investments. This allows you to see where you could put your money to get the results that you want. When you meet with your advisor, they will ask you about things such as investment goals, how quickly you want results, and so on. Based on the answers that you give, you will be advised to go down different routes. So, let’s take a look at what some of these routes could be.

Hedge Funds

Let’s kick this off with hedge funds. You have probably heard of hedge funds, as this type of investment has been around for a long time. Hedge funds pool capital from individuals into varied assets, so your money is spread across multiple different accounts. This type of alternative investment is pretty complex, and that is why it is best to speak to an advisor if you have decided that this is the route you want to go down. When you invest in a hedge fund, the management of your finances will be transferred to an investment company, and when given permission they will buy/sell shares to ensure you make the most out of your investment. Some people think that this is a traditional form of investment, but it is actually an alternative.

Art, Antiques, and Collectibles

Another form of investment that many people consider to be very traditional is investment in items. By items, we mean things such as antiques, art, and collectibles. People have been investing in art for a long time, and because of this, a lot of people believe that it is a traditional investment route. However, it isn’t. Art and paintings have always been considered a safe investment, and the same goes for antiques and collectibles. This is generally because their value generally increases over time. As times have changed, collectibles such as toys, stamps, and coins have now become a very common way to invest money.

Real Estate

Finally, investing your money in real estate has also become a very popular alternative form of investment. Just like art and collectibles, real estate generally is generally a safe investment because most of the time it gains value, rather than losing it. So, the majority of the time, the money that you invest in real estate will multiply as the years go by. This is why real estate has become one of the most popular forms of alternative investment.

How to Research the Best Option for You

To discover the best form of alternative investment for you, you should begin by simply researching the different options available to you. We have already looked at some of these options, so this is a great place to begin.

Once you have done some of your own research into these options, you should then speak to an alternative investment consultant or advisor. These people will be able to advise you about the best ways to invest your money in order to get the results that you want. No matter how much research you do yourself, it is always best to speak to a professional if you want to get excellent results. These people often know exactly what they are doing, so it is the safest way to ensure you get exactly what you want out of this investment route.

Summary

In this guide we have taken a deep dive into alternative investment. This has included taking a look at what alternative investments are, who to speak to if you want to go down this investment route, and more.