Alternative Investment - Other Investments - Archive

Antiques as an Investment: In with the Old? Author: Cali Zimmerman
Antiques have investment potential for educated buyers, but the antiques market can be fickle, presenting sudden windfalls to some while dashing the hopes and bank accounts of others.

Fed Auctions $75 Billion in Loans to Banks Author: Trista Winnie
The Fed sold $75 billion in loans on Monday through its Term Auction Facility—the first auction exceeding $50 billion of the 11 auctions it has held since December.

Top 5 Uses for Economic Stimulus Payments Author: Cali Zimmerman
Economic stimulus payments are on their way. The government’s hope is that consumers will take their money and rush to the nearest department store, but there are better ways to put these payments to use.

America Losing Faith in Economy: Confidence Hits 5-Year Low Author: Trista Winnie
Much of the remaining confidence Americans had in the economy is ebbing away. Unfortunately, that could play right into a vicious economic cycle.

How to Identify the Right Advisor or Custodian for Your Self-Directed IRA Investments Author: T.J. Valenzuela
Finding a qualified self directed IRA custodian or advisor can be daunting, but here are some ways to find the right one for your investment interests.

Africa Tourism: Growth and Opportunity Author: Brad Zimmerman
Africa remains the world’s poorest continent and still suffers from many ills, but Africa’s tourism grew by 10.6 percent in 2006, according to a report by the UNWTO, with Kenya alone attracting more than one million tourists in 2006.

How to Make the Best of a Billboard with Poor Visibility Author: Frank Rolfe
Virtually every billboard owner has one billboard face with poor visibility. Here are some ways that investors can improve a bad sign and maximize its profits.

Investing in Palladium Author: Melana Yanos
Investing in platinum has become more attractive as demand for the precious metal has increased from multiple industries. Despite solid demand, palladium supply remains unpredictable.

Health Savings Account (HSA) Basics Author: Cali Zimmerman
HSAs were created in 2003 as a form of U.S. trust to be used exclusively for paying qualified health care expenses. An HSA must be used in conjunction with a High Deductible Health Plan. Those who are covered only by an HDHP are not enrolled in Medicare and cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return are eligible for an HSA.

Investing in Diamonds: The Terms of Engagement Author: Melana Yanos
Investing in diamonds requires a tremendous amount of capital and risk tolerance, but in light of recent trends suggesting a decline in the global supply, diamond investments are becoming an increasingly attractive asset for some investors.

Microfinance Institution Reviews Author: Brennan Dewey
Microfinance institutions, also known as MFIs, offer financial services to underserved, impoverished communities. But the benefits of establishing microfinance institutions go beyond microcredit services alone.

Non-Profit Venture Capital Aids Developing Nations Author: Cali Zimmerman
Acumen Fun is a non-profit venture capital fund based in New York which invests philanthropic capital in enterprises designed to have a social impact in developing countries, namely India, Pakistan, East Africa and South Africa

How to Invest in Community Bank Stock with a Self-Directed IRA Author: TommyJoe Valenzuela
Learn how to invest your IRA funds in community bank stock.

Indie Film Investments Author: Cali Zimmerman
Trying to compare Little Miss Sunshine to The Blair Witch Project or Clerks to The Passion of the Christ might seem like an all but futile endeavor. But there is one thing that all four of these films have in common: They are independent films, commonly known as indie films. Films such as these present a unique opportunity for investors to get involved with a creative project and see their names up on the big screen.

Top 5 Romantic Investments Author: Melana Yanos
Couples who are looking to add some sugar to a joint venture or investors who want to add some romantic business to their portfolios may want to read on; NuWire has selected their Top 5 Romantic Investments, all of which offer opportunities that are hard not to fall in love with.

Real Sports Investments Author: Brad Zimmerman
With the popularity of fantasy sports on the rise, one company hopes to remove the fantasy by making investments in an athlete’s future lucrative for investors and athletes alike.

Life Settlements: What Investors Should Know Author: Melana Yanos
As consumers come to grips with the reality of life settlements, a growing number of large institutional investors are realizing the huge potential for returns and are eagerly jumping into the multi-billion dollar industry. But where does the small investor fit in?

Life Settlements: Beyond the Hype Author: Melana Yanos
While many have already heard about life settlements and will likely hear more as the industry grows, the media hype can make it difficult for a pragmatic consumer to separate the fluff from the facts. The first of a two-part article series that examines the controversies surrounding the life settlements industry, this article addresses the issues from the standpoint of the general consumer.

Fishing Quotas in Alaska: Access to a Protected Resource Author: Melana Yanos
The purchase of halibut fishing quota shares, or the percentage of total halibut stock an individual may harvest on a yearly basis, is probably not a suitable enterprise for most investors. In fact, regulations on the fishing quota system in Alaska have generally been designed to protect the commercial fishing industry from outside speculation.

Art Investments: The Portfolio on the Wall Author: Cali Zimmerman
Prefer Monet to Microsoft? Looking to diversify? Or maybe it’s just time to liven up that empty space over the mantle. Fine art offers excellent diversification and adds a splash of color to an otherwise black-and-white portfolio.

Socially Responsible Investing: Investing in a Better World Author: Trevor Winnie
For a variety of reasons, whether environmental, religious or political, investors are in fact concerned with how their money is generating its return. From this social awareness has emerged the money management strategy known as socially responsible investing, or SRI.

Investing in Structured Notes Author: Melana Yanos
Structured notes have emerged as an exciting investment opportunity quickly being absorbed into the mainstream financial services industry, which issued $64 billion in structured products in 2006. It is speculated that the structured products market will break $100 billion in 2007.

Decline of the Dollar Spurs Diversification Author: Cali Zimmerman
In a time of uncertainty about the U.S. dollar, it is becoming increasingly common for investors to diversify investments as much as possible. Foreign currencies are not the only option available to investors looking to diversify out of the U.S. dollar. Precious metals can be the foundation for a stronger portfolio.

Taking the Reins of Investment Opportunities Author: Cali Zimmerman
A syndicate allows investors to own shares in a racehorse, splitting the costs of purchase, training and maintenance between several partners. This not only makes Thoroughbred ownership accessible to those who cannot afford a high-caliber horse alone, but offers an excellent opportunity for those who prefer to diversify their investments across multiple horses.

No Bull: Cattle Breeding for Investors Author: Beth Anderson
The growth of artificial insemination (AI) as a tool for improving the genetics of cattle herds has opened up new opportunities for agricultural investors.

Top 15 Charities for Investors for 2007 Author: Trista Winnie
NuWire has compiled a list of the Top 15 Charities for Investors for 2007. These 15 charities cover a range of causes. More importantly, each dollar that goes into the charity is used effectively, making each of these charities ones that investors can feel confident about supporting.

Want Real Liquid Assets? Try Investing in Fine Wine Author: Cali Zimmerman
Investing in fine wines is a method of portfolio diversification that has been gaining popularity with investors because of strong appreciation and increased demand

Timber Investments in Panama Author: Beth Anderson
Teak forest investments in Panama can be a lucrative option for portfolio diversification.

Parking Spaces as Investments Author: Melana Yanos
Investors can take advantage of parking real estate as a real estate investment in densely populated cities.

Top 5 Investment Scams and How to Avoid Them Author: Brad Zimmerman
How to avoid the top five investment scams, including Ponzi schemes and Internet frauds.

Investment Opportunities in Panama Author: Trista Winnie
Panama has a variety of real estate investment and business opportunities, from city apartments and condos to beachfront resorts.

The Expansion of Panama's Economy and Canal Author: Trista Winnie
Growth in Panama's economy and canal draw real estate investors.

Why Investing Outside the U.S. Makes Sense Now Author: Jeremy Ames
Factors that make investing outside the United States wise include the U.S. economy, technology, competition and baby boomers.

Nicaraguan Seizure Could Hurt Investments Author: Brad Zimmerman
Nicaraguan police seized a fuel storage terminal owned by Exxon; investors worry that President Ortega may revert to nationalistic tendencies.

2007's Top 10 Investments Under $25,000 Author: Elizabeth Smith
NuWire's 2007 picks for top 10 investments under $25,000 include single and multi-family properties, foreclosures, gold and silver, mobile homes and more.

Winds of Change Bring Investment Opportunities Author: Brad Zimmerman
Energy-producing wind turbines have become the latest cash crop for farmers and real estate investors.

Investor Highlight: Scott Juetten Author: Marie Langhout
NuWire interviews FASTSIGNS franchising entrepreneur and Alliance Equity director Scott Juetten.

Seminars: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Author: Jeremy Ames
How to identify useful real estate education and investment seminars and those to avoid.

Billboard Advertising Creates Investment Opportunity Author: Brad Zimmerman
Investing in outdoor billboard advertising can be attractive to creative investors.

Credit Boom Turned Credit Bust Author: Brad Zimmerman
To protect the FICO credit scoring model, the Fair Isaac Corporation will no longer recognize "piggybacked" accounts which have authorized users.

Self-Directed IRA Diversification Author: Trista Winnie
A self-directed IRA (individual retirement account) offers the opportunity for investment in real estate, business and more.

Resource-Driven Real Estate Booms and Busts Author: Beth Anderson
Resource booms can spill over into the real estate markets, causing prices to skyrocket.

Colombian Investment Conditions Improving Author: Elizabeth Smith
Recent changes in Colombia are reducing crime and improving conditions for investment.

Investor Risk vs. Reward Author: Trista Winnie
An examination of the psychology of investing, risk perception and behavioral finance.

Boat Slips as Investments Author: Trista Winnie
Boat ownership is increasing, leading to more demand for boat slips across the world.

Top 10 1031 Exchange Considerations Author: Elizabeth Smith
Ten points to consider before using a 1031 exchange for deferral of capital gains taxes.

1031 Exchanges: Top 5 Little-Known Uses Author: Elizabeth Smith
Reverse exchanges, improvement exchanges, partial exchanges, foreign property exchanges, and unusual options for 1031 exchanges.

Low Interest SBA Loans for Veterans Author: Melana Yanos
Veterans can use low interest loans from the Patriot Express program to fund small business ventures.

Privatized Oil Could Hurt Venezuelan Economy Author: Brad Zimmerman
Venezuela President Hugo Chavez turns control of oil rich Orinoco belt region to state-run oil company, worrying investors.

Toyota Opens New Plant in Mississippi Author: Brad Zimmerman
Toyota announces new production plant in Blue Springs, Mississippi, near Tupelo, which will impact the construction sector and local economy.

Vineyards: Grape Expectations Author: Trista Winnie
A passion for wine can be a fruitful lifestyle investment in winery and vineyard ventures.

Top 5 Emerging Wine Investment Regions Author: Trista Winnie
Top 5 emerging wine investment regions in the United States, including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona and Texas.

Rockmeadow Cellars: Owning a Winery Author: Trista Winnie
The story of Rockmeadow Cellars in Sammamish, Washington, a winery lifestyle investment.

Other People's Money Author: Elizabeth Smith
Five steps to raising capital for first-timers.

Investor Highlight: Scott Greenburg Author: Marie Langhout
Investor highlight with angel investor Scott Greenburg, who invested in Starbucks and VoiceStream Wireless (now T-Mobile) in their early stages.

Chinese Fund Announces First Investment Author: Elizabeth Smith
China's new state investment fund announces an investment into Blackstone, an American private equity firm with an upcoming IPO.

What Poker Can Teach Investors Author: Elizabeth Smith
Five poker tips to help your investing game: Know your odds, weigh risk vs. reward, diversify, be selective and know when to fold.

Oil and Gas Investments Author: Elizabeth Smith
Oil and gas investments are risky but offer big returns and lucrative payoffs.

Stock Loans: Have Your Cake and Eat It Too Author: Elizabeth Smith
Stock loans allow portfolio diversification into alternative investments without selling stock. Borrowers maintain many benefits of owning the stock.

Rocky Mountain Oil Author: Elizabeth Smith
The Rocky Mountains house the largest oil shale deposits in the world. Shell Oil and the U.S. government are taking steps to tap into it with an in-ground heating method.

Timber: A Renewable Resource Author: Elizabeth Smith
How timber can balance out a portfolio. Timber as an investment is becoming popular as a way to diversify.

New Zealand Forests Author: Elizabeth Smith
The New Zealand timber industry offers attractive investment opportunities with partnerships of undivided shares in the forest.

The Infinite Banking Concept: Be Your Own Bank Author: Trista Winnie
The Infinite Banking Concept involves paying into a whole life insurance policy that allows you to take loans collateralized on it. Save money by borrowing from and repaying yourself.

Front of the Curve Author: Elizabeth Smith
What investors need to know to be in the know: Know people, know your market and know yourself.

Timber Interview: Adam Nash Author: Marie Langhout
Investor Adam Nash explains the benefits of timber investing, including timber Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

Timber Interview: Jake Schutt Author: Marie Langhout
Jake Schutt discusses timber investing and trends, including Timber Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Timber Investment Management Organizations (TIMOs) and more.

Nike to Open New Distribution Center in Memphis Author: Trista Winnie
Nike announces a $107 million distribution center in Memphis, Tennessee.

Baby Boomers: The Years Ahead Author: Trista Winnie
The baby boomer generation is poised to shape real estate and small business investment markets worldwide.

Beyond Florida Author: Trista Winnie
Baby boomers are retiring abroad in increasing numbers. Central America is a common relocation destination for retirees.

Top 10 Baby Boomer Investments Author: Trista Winnie
Top 10 investments for cashing in on the baby boomer generation, including townhomes, condominiums, health clubs, travel businesses and more.

China's Investment Fund Spells Change Author: Elizabeth Smith
A new fund will move some of China's foreign reserves out of U.S. Treasuries and into more profitable investments. This may impact the U.S. federal deficit and the dollar.

Golden Pig Baby Boom in Asia Author: Trista Winnie
An auspicious year for a baby boom may spur baby-related industries in China, Korea and other parts of Asia.

Instability in Thailand Author: Eric Ames
Investment restrictions and bombings damage investor confidence in Thailand's real estate market.