Alternative Investments
Real estate, REITs, gold, and other assets beyond stocks and bonds.
All Alternative Investment Guides
5 guidesREITs for Beginners
MediumReal Estate Investment Trusts let you invest in real estate without buying property. Buy shares like stocks, earn dividends from rental income. Accessible from $1.
Real Estate Investing
Medium–HighOverview of real estate investment strategies: rental properties, house hacking, REITs, and crowdfunding. Pros, cons, and realistic capital requirements for each.
Gold & Commodities
MediumHow to invest in gold, silver, and commodities as a portfolio hedge. Physical vs ETFs vs mining stocks. When commodities make sense and when they don’t.
Fractional Real Estate
MediumInvest in real estate with as little as $10 through platforms like Fundrise and Arrived. Earn rental income and appreciation without being a landlord.
Treasury Bonds & I-Bonds
Very LowThe safest investments available: US Treasury bonds and inflation-protected I-Bonds. Current rates, how to buy, and when they make sense in your portfolio.
When to Consider Alternatives
After you have the basics covered. Alternative investments should complement a core portfolio of index funds, not replace it. Most advisors recommend 10–20% of your portfolio in alternatives once you’re already investing in stocks and bonds.
For diversification. Real estate and commodities often move differently than stocks. When stocks drop, real estate or gold may hold steady or rise. This reduces your portfolio’s overall volatility.
For income. REITs and rental properties generate regular dividend/rental income. If you’re building passive income streams, alternatives can provide cash flow that stocks (especially growth stocks) don’t.
Alternative Investments: Common Questions
What are alternative investments, exactly?
Assets beyond mainstream stocks and bonds — real estate, REITs, gold and commodities, and treasury bonds. They can diversify a portfolio because they don't always move in step with the stock market.
What's the easiest alternative investment to start with?
REITs — they trade like stocks, have no minimum beyond one share, and give you real-estate exposure without buying property. Fractional real-estate platforms let you start with as little as $10.
How much of my portfolio should be in alternatives?
Most investors keep alternatives as a minority slice (often 5–20%) alongside a core of low-cost index funds. The right amount depends on your goals, timeline, and comfort with less-liquid assets.
Do I need a lot of money to invest in real estate?
Not anymore. REITs and fractional real-estate platforms let you start small, without the capital, mortgages, or management that buying a physical property requires.
Start Diversifying
REITs are the easiest entry point - buy them like stocks with no minimum.