We have asked a number of women over the years "If you could only keep one non essential personal possession, what would it be?" No one replied "My share portfolio", but many replied, "My art, wine or book collection". This is a very real kind of wealth and is one that every alternative investor can enjoy. Choose items that are inherently meaningful and valuable to you and you can't go far wrong.

Alternative Investments - Serious investments or not?.Many mainstream advisers do not take stamps, coins, art, books or wine collections as serious investments. But, rare stamps and coins have certainly outperformed many shares and investment funds over the last 5 years.

Rare and collectable books as alternative investments. Ruth discovers some old books in a box. One she plans on selling to pay for a new food blender!   

The autographs sector is an interesting investment market that is on the rise. The values for the world's most sought-after autographs grew strongly between 2011 and 2012.

Autographs - read more