Alternative investing may not be for everyone, but there's an entry point for almost anyone—and as popular cable TV programs illustrate every week, small fortunes can be found in attics, basements and, yes, storage rooms.
Last year was a difficult year for the hedge fund industry, with returns down 6.4 percent, but the drop hasn’t stopped experienced professionals from moving away from big investment banks to set up their own firms.
A luxury pad in one of the world’s most exclusive neighborhoods might be seen as an indulgence for only the super rich. But international property developer Nick Candy told CNBC that for the shrewd investor, it can often be a long-term commitment worth making.
If you love edgy bets, the Bitcoin may be for you, but given its newness and volatility, the alternative currency used for Internet transactions has passionate fans and critics.
With precious metals prices soaring in recent years, both bullion and rare coins have become a hot-ticket item among investors seeking to diversify their portfolio.
Along with baseball cards, comic books represent an important component of the collectibles market, and can prove to be quite profitable for collectors holding highly sought-after and rare items.
Alfredo Paramico, fund manager at Precious Time, told CNBC, "here we have a once in the lifetime opportunity to have all together these three wrist watches who are the most important wrist watches in history ever."
Investment-grade art enjoys a low correlation with other asset classes, including stocks and bonds, strengthening its case as a candidate for portfolio diversification.