Often alternative investments will by their very nature not be available to small investors, requiring as they do a large commitment. They may even be barred by regulators from going on sale to the general public.

The success of alternative investments depends very much upon the investor’s ability to second guess what an asset or commodity may be worth at some future time. A good example would be precious metals, the value of which ebbs and flows completely outside of the realms of “normal” economic activity. Just as the value of property, say since 1963, has increased several times beyond the rate of inflation, so the same may apply to gold, silver or any other commodity.

However trying to determine the best alternative investments can as a process be a little hit and miss. A cynic may suggest wine as an option because if its current fortunes as an improving investment product were to go into reverse it can at least be consumed and enjoyed. One unlikely commodity that is enjoying great popularity amongst investors right now is timber. Land is also increasingly at a premium due the rapidly expanding population of the world and the challenge of feeding it.

As a general rule of thumb the best alternative investments will be in those products and commodities that are the least affected by the economic downturn due to them having the least correlation to traditional investment forms. Search for some current alternative investment ideas online at the above websites.