Those who have their finger on the pulse when it comes to investing will be aware that there’s always something new to invest in. In recent years, there’s been much discussion about assets such as crypto and NFTs, and while many investors have profited from these newer options, are we guilty of overlooking traditional opportunities?
In this article, we’ll cover the investment opportunities that have stood (and are still standing) the test of time.
Real Estate
There’s a lot of talk about how the real estate market is in decline, and the fallout from the pandemic is largely to blame for this. After the pandemic drove an increase in the number of people working from home, major cities became less desirable. Simply put, people don’t need to be located in the same place as their employer these days, which has affected demand for properties in major cities.
In reality, don’t let stories like this put you off investing in real estate. Companies that operate in the real estate industry, such as Validate Property, are reporting no signs of slowing down.
In fact, recent reports suggest that real estate investment will top a trillion dollars in 2026.
So, for those with large amounts of cash to invest, property and real estate are still worth considering.
Stock Market
The stock market is probably the first thing to come to mind when you hear the word investment. As newer investment opportunities emerge, it’s easy to forget about stocks and shares. But as history tells us, the stock market has stood the test of time.
It can be easy to get caught up in how new technology impacts investment opportunities, but it’s also worth remembering that new tech also affects the stock market.
For example, you may be wondering how to leverage AI to make money, given that the technology is booming and shows no signs of slowing down. But at the same time, new technology could also be a shot in the arm for the stock market, particularly for companies sitting in the tech sector.
We must balance this by stating that new technology can ultimately lead to a crash, as we saw with the dot-com bubble. But regardless, the years preceding this presented a great time to invest in the stock market, and we could see something similar occur with AI.
Precious Metals
There’s so much discussion about how cryptocurrencies can be used to hedge against inflation, and often, you’ll hear Bitcoin referred to as digital gold. But don’t forget the original gold and all other precious metals. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future performance, gold has performed well whether looking at this year or the previous ten.
If you’re looking for a less volatile alternative to crypto, then precious metals do present a good option. You also have a variety of options: some prefer owning the physical metal, while others prefer investing through funds.
Collectibles
Perhaps the funnest way to invest is through collectibles. Desirable collectibles include art and antiques, but can also include items as unique as trading cards and sporting memorabilia. The beauty of collectibles is that you can find something that suits your interests and investment budget, and they also offer an opportunity to earn money.
A 1998 Pikachu Illustrator trading card sold for over $5 million in 2021, which is obviously an enormous increase on the card’s original retail value. The world’s most expensive comic book went from originally costing 10 cents to recently selling for $6 million.
Yourself
Finally, the one area that many of us overlook when it comes to investing is ourselves. While it can be tempting to chase short-term rewards, investing in yourself is perfect for those who want to prioritise the long term. This may include expanding your network by attending events or adding new skills to your arsenal that make you more valuable to an employer.
If you are looking to invest in yourself by learning a new skill or developing existing ones, focusing on skills that can lead to business opportunities is probably the best investment. Examples include web design, coding, and SEO, all of which can be turned into a business or a freelancing opportunity.
