Alternative Investments for Savvy Retirees – Part 1

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The baby boom generation has lived through a uniquely stable period in human history. Yes, we’ve seen regional wars, terrorism, and economic dislocation. But there hasn’t been wholesale destruction of a developed country, or its financial system, since halfway through the last century.

It would be nice to think that the world has put such tragedies behind it. It would be nice to think that the major powers understand stability is in their best interest, and that the smaller powers will gradually burn out their destructive agendas and settle for negotiation and compromise.

But, given human nature, a happy ending is not a foregone conclusion. There are trends in today’s world that, if unchecked, could lead to disruptions like we have not witnessed in our lifetimes. Even without a global conflict or natural disaster, our interconnected world, so dependent on modern technology, is more vulnerable in some ways than ever.

Such possibilities, and the preparations they imply, might sound far-fetched to you. The odds of disaster are low, and I’m not trying to scare anyone. But a certain percent of us were born with an eye to the future, inclined to prudence and preparation. It’s a quality — nearly forgotten in today’s world — that brought our ancestors through hard times. Without it, we, their descendants, wouldn’t be here today!

Dollar Diversification

So, in this post I want to explore reasonable ways to diversify some of your wealth out of the U.S. dollar and/or out of paper assets….

And, why would you want to do that?

Well, many people wouldn’t and shouldn’t. If you are a new investor, or an older one who needs to keep your finances ultra-simple, then you should not be looking for alternative investments. By definition, these are usually riskier and more complex than the mainstream alternatives — simple domestic stock and bond index funds.

But other investors, like me, see merit in diversifying out of the conventional financial system. Because, ultimately, any wealth you leave parked in that highly leveraged system is at the mercy of the powers that be. The value of a paper dollar is a complex function of decisions made by centralized and non-transparent government and commercial entities. By contrast, the values of most of the following alternative investments are insulated in some fashion from the various political and financial powers….

Let’s begin by exploring three of the more conventional alternative investments. Then, in the second part of this series, we’ll range further afield to explore some more exotic, and riskier, options….

International Stocks

Let’s start with one of the simplest, safest ways for an investor to diversify away from the U.S. dollar economy — owning assets outside of the country, in the form of an international stock index. For Americans, this implies converting dollars to equity in foreign companies. That equity will grow over time, plus will pay dividends. But, because those assets are functioning in different markets and valued in different currencies, the timing and size of investment returns will be different than for the U.S. stock market. That’s diversification.

Just remember that diversification is about safety more than performance. While the U.S. has enjoyed a bull market that continues to set records, international stocks have done relatively poorly in recent years. For example, over the last 10 years, Vanguard’s Total U.S. Stock Market Index (VTSMX) returned 7.41% annually while its Total International Stock Index (VGTSX) returned just 2.15%.

But, eventually, international stocks will have their day in the sun. Digital Nomad and Millionaire Teacher Andrew Hallam says that PE ratios currently make international stocks a better bet than U.S. shares. He writes that the “historical average CAPE level of developed world international stocks is about 20 times earnings. It was about 15 times earnings [at the end of September 2016]. That means developed world international stocks are like professional wide receivers against a bunch of college players. They could still have a tough time scoring. But the odds are with them winning.”

Nobody knows the timing of such market cycles in advance. But I have owned various flavors of Vanguard’s Total International Stock index (VGTSX/VTIAX/VXUS) for years. With Vanguard I know I’m getting the lowest possible expenses, plus efficient diversification among foreign countries — developed and emerging — to make my long-term international investing safer and cheaper.

Real Estate

For many people, real estate is the most practical and accessible alternative investment.

Your primary residence could play the role of a real estate investment. But the best payoff comes through owning rental property. That could be in form of a vacation home. Though vacation properties, with their high costs and low occupancy rates, don’t always offer the best investment return. Personally, I’ve always kept my vacations separate from my investments.

With rental real estate, your money is in a hard asset whose value is not directly tied to the dollar or stock market. That investment produces steady income, and you can adjust it for inflation if needed, by raising rents. If you like working on houses, and don’t mind interacting with tenants, this is an ideal investment.

On the downside, real estate does require management and maintenance — it’s actually a small business. Also, understand that real estate is highly illiquid and incurs hefty transaction costs. Don’t try selling a house for top dollar over a weekend when you need to raise cash!

Additionally, owning real estate ties your wealth to a certain geographical location. If global events make that location less desirable, your investment could deteriorate or be lost altogether. Finally, managing real estate becomes less practical as you get older.

Fortunately there are some simpler real estate investing alternatives like real estate mutual funds and REITs. These can give your investment dollars access to real estate diversification without all of the management headaches.

Small Business

Both before and after retirement, a small business has been my own most important alternative investment. Though risky and labor-intensive, small businesses offer one of the largest potential payoffs for your investment dollars. A good business is an inflation-adjusted cash-generating machine. If your business produces an essential product or service, then it’s insulated somewhat from the financial gyrations of the world around it. And, as the owner, you receive all the profits.

The downsides of a small business are not trivial either: The workload can be intense — producing, marketing, and delivering your product or service single-handedly at the start. And the risk is real. Many small businesses fail. In retirement you must be doubly cautious not to risk your nest egg or your lifestyle freedom. A small business that takes over your day and eats away at your life savings is a poor choice for a retiree.

Franchises are sometimes touted as retirement businesses. But buyer/owner beware! The steep entry costs are likely to threaten your financial security, while demanding a full-time commitment.

In my first book, I cover seven important business startup lessons. The first lesson is so important, I’ll repeat it here: “Make sure there’s a market.” Do some simple, cheap tests to prove there is demand for your idea. A good way to conduct a test is to offer a small or prototype version of your product or service for cheap or free. Continue testing different ideas until you find one that will attract customers at a price that guarantees a profit.

An ideal retirement business is a low-capital, low-commitment service — consulting, blogging, or freelancing — in areas where you already have expertise. Or, you might look to partner with a younger entrepreneur, offering them capital and advice, while they put in the hours and labor to build the business.

Part Two…

So, we’ve covered three of the more conventional alternative investments. International stocks, real estate, and a small business could all serve to isolate some of your nest egg from the fortunes of the U.S. dollar and other paper assets. In the next part of this series, we’ll venture further afield to look at some more exotic investment alternatives: gold, Bitcoin, and peer-to-peer lending….

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