6 Assets That Are Better & Safer Than Cash

Introduction

Oh, darlings, let me tell you a little secret about banks. They sometimes say that our money grows in our bank accounts, but that's not exactly true. You see, it's like a little fib they tell to make us feel happy. Our money doesn't really grow like plants or flowers do. It just stays there, safe and sound, waiting for us to use it whenever we need it. So, don't worry too much about your money growing, because it's already doing a great job just being there for you! You see, when you put money in a special place called a bank, it can grow over time because of something called interest. But here's the thing: even though the amount of money may get bigger, it doesn't actually become more valuable or worth more in the real world. Oh, dear friend, when prices go up and up like a rocket and the money you put in the bank doesn't grow as fast, it's like having a little fire in your pocket that burns your cash away.

1. God's Money: Gold, Silver, and Platinum

One of the biggest reasons why money is seen as important is because it helps us save things we value for later. It's like a special box that keeps our treasures safe until we need them. But, you see, sometimes governments need extra money to pay for things they need, like schools and hospitals. So what they do is print more money! It's like a magical machine that creates new bills and coins. But here's the thing: when they print too much money, it can cause some problems. It's kind of like when you eat too much candy, it can make you sick. So, governments have to be careful not to print too much money, or else it can make the value of money go down. So, you see, sometimes that little piece of paper we call a dollar might not be worth anything anymore. It's like a surprise; you never know when it might happen! This is why smart money experts suggest putting your coins into something special that's hard to find and can't be made easily. This is the main reason why rich people always keep a little bit of their money saved in shiny stuff like gold and silver.

Oh, let me tell you a little story about shiny things like gold, silver, and platinum! You see, when something called inflation happens and prices start going up, these precious metals become even more valuable. It's like they're climbing up to the sky! So, if you have some of these special metals, they can help you keep your money safe and maybe even make more of it! Oh, long, long ago, way before the 1950s, there was a magical time when a teeny tiny piece of gold, called an ounce, could be yours for only four hundred dollars! Can you believe it? It was like finding a shiny treasure for a fair price. In the year 2023, a tiny, tiny piece of gold will cost more than two thousand dollars. And guess what? Some smart people at Prime XBT think that the price will go even higher, all the way up to ten thousand dollars by the year 2032! Isn't that amazing? In simple words, it means that if you wait for about 10 years, the money you put into gold will become five times more than what it is right now. It's like magical growth for your money! Oh, you see, when people have lots of money, they like to keep it safe by turning it into gold. It's like a magical metal that everyone loves! So, while money is getting less and less popular, gold is getting more and more popular. It's like a game where one thing goes down and the other thing goes up, just like a seesaw!

Just like how some shiny things are more valuable than keeping money in a safe place, other special metals are also better than having cash in a bank. If you want to show off your special collection without actually having to buy shiny gold, you can put your money in something called gold ETFs. It's like a secret way to be part of the gold gang without actually having the gold in your hands. Gold ETFs are like little magical boxes that help you invest in gold without actually having to touch it. They can make you money when the price of gold goes up, and they're not too expensive to get started with. So, you can be a gold investor without needing a big pile of shiny gold bars!

2. Industrial Commodities: Raw Materials

Oh, precious metals are super special because they're not easy to find. That's why they're called precious! But that's not all; they're also really useful in nature, which means they're super important for making stuff we need in industries. So, they're like these super valuable things that we can't live without! Oh, oh! So, you know how sometimes we have these cool things called electronics, like phones and computers? Well, silver is like a special ingredient that helps make them work! It's also used in medical stuff, like equipment that helps doctors take care of us when we're sick. And get this, it's even used in something called nuclear reactors, which are like super-duper powerful machines that make energy! So, silver is like a superstar who gets to be in all these important things and do lots of cool stuff! Just like how some things are really popular and everyone wants them, metals like cobalt, nickel, and copper are also in high demand because they have special qualities that can't be found in other materials.

To make it easier to understand, since the year 2020, lots and lots of people have wanted cobalt very, very much. It's like the demand for cobalt went zooming up into the sky! The main reason is because it's super important for making batteries that power those cool cars that run on electricity. Oh, oh! So, this thing called "prices" went up a lot! In 2012, it was like 20,000 US dollars per tonne, but now, in 2022, it's doubled to 40,000 US dollars. Can you believe it? Prices can be so tricky sometimes! Wow, that means it doubled in size in only 10 years! So, if you get your hands on these special materials, it can make your collection of things look really impressive when lots of people want them.

But, you see, not everyone can put lots and lots of money into getting the stuff we need to make things. And it's not easy to keep all that stuff in a safe place or find people who want to buy it from us. So, if you want to make money by supporting companies that dig up valuable stuff from the ground, like Rio Tinto, there are a few cute ways to do it. You can buy little pieces of these companies called stocks, or you can join a group of people who all put their money together in a special fund that focuses on mining. There's even a fun game called derivatives, where you can bet on the future price of these mining things. All of these ways can help you get involved and make some money!

3. Safe Haven Currencies

In the big world of money, there are different kinds of currencies that people use. These currencies aren't as gold-backed as they once were, though. So, when you want to be smart with your money and make it grow, it's important to think about how stable the world is. That means considering whether countries are getting along and not fighting too much. It's like when you want to plant seeds in your garden, you want to make sure the weather is good and there won't be any storms that could ruin your plants. This is why fancy people always hide their money in special banks in Switzerland.

Switzerland is like a super-strong country when it comes to money stuff! They have a really good system for making and managing money, which makes everything more stable and safe. And because of that, the country is also really peaceful and safe in terms of how countries get along with each other. So, you see, the Swiss franc is like a little treasure that people like to keep when things get all shaky and uncertain. It's like a cozy blanket that makes them feel safe and protected.

Oh, we've seen this happen before, like when some countries in Europe couldn't pay back their debts in 2009 and when the whole world had money troubles in 2008. It's like when you run out of money and can't pay your bills. Big money flew from these countries to Switzerland to stop their wealth from getting smaller because their money wasn't worth as much anymore. Oh, and you know what? The Swiss franc is like a special kind of money that people use instead of the US dollar when they want to trade things with other countries. It's a really good option to have!

Oh, let me tell you a little story about what happened when Russia and Ukraine were having a big fight. You see, the United States got upset and decided to punish Russia by not letting them trade energy with them anymore. But clever Russia didn't give up! They found a sneaky way to keep trading by using a different kind of money called Swiss francs. It's like they found a secret hiding spot to keep playing their trading game. Oh, some things happened that made people really want the Swiss franc. This made the Swiss franc worth a lot more compared to all the other types of money. In the beginning of 2023, a Swiss franc was worth 1.1074 US dollars. This means that people who had Swiss francs suddenly had a lot more money! It was like their wealth magically grew overnight.

So, some special types of money are really good at keeping their value safe. These include the Swiss franc, the British pound, and the Chinese yuan. They're like little treasure chests for your money! But, you see, not everyone can open fancy Swiss bank accounts or use complicated currency ETFs and forex brokers like forex.com. That's where currency ETFs and forex brokers come in to help smaller investors. They let you get a taste of different currencies, even if you only have a hundred dollars to spare. It's like a small door that grants you access to a vast universe of wealth!

4. Sovereign Guarantee

Have you ever taken a really good look at a dollar bill? This little note here is like a magic ticket that can be used to pay for anything you owe, whether it's to the government or to someone else. It's like a special paper that everyone agrees is valuable and can be used to settle your debts. So, if you have this note, you're all set to pay for whatever you need! Have you ever thought about what it means, like when you're trying to figure something out? Oh, my friend, let me tell you a little story! Back in 1971, a very important person called President Nixon made a decision. He said, "No more gold standard for our dollar!" So, from that day on, our dollar became the special money that everyone had to accept in the United States. It's the law, you know! This thing became really special because people agreed to use it to trade stuff. They thought it was a fair way to pay for things they wanted.

Even though money isn't tied to gold or anything you can touch, it's still valuable because the government promises it is. They have a lot of trust in it—like a big hug from the government! In simple words, imagine that your money is like a little pet that needs someone to take care of it. The government is like the big, strong person who promises to protect and support your money. So, if the government is reliable and trustworthy, your money will be safe and secure too! This is like when you have a special guarantee that keeps your money safe and makes it grow. It's like having a magical piggy bank that never loses its value.

Oh, cupcake, let me tell you something adorable! When it comes to money, the government of a country is like a super-responsible friend. They always make sure to pay back their debts before anyone else. So, even if things get a little tough, you can trust that the government will do everything it can to keep its promises and not let anyone down. Isn't that nice? If the government can't pay its bills, then the whole country might not be able to pay its bills either. But don't worry; a good and powerful government won't let that happen! They'll make sure everything is okay.

So, if you want to keep your money safe and make it grow, one of the best ways is to invest in something called government securities, or G-secs. These are like special papers that the government gives you, and they promise to pay you back your money with some extra money too! It's a really good way to make sure your money is protected. But you should only choose government G-secs that are stable and have good credit ratings. It's like picking the best candies from a jar; you want the ones that won't make you sick and taste really good!

Do you remember when Greece had a big money problem in 2009? It was like they owed a lot of money and couldn't pay it back. It caused a lot of trouble for them. Oh, so there were these big groups called the IMF, Eurogroup, and ECB, and they had to help this company because it owed a lot of money. They had to do it more than once! So, when you're thinking about investing in G-secs, you should always think about how strong the government is all around the world. It's like choosing a really strong superhero to protect your money! In the U.S., you can put your money in special papers called Treasury bills, notes, and bonds. These papers are like a promise from the government that they will pay you back. It's a way to keep your money safe and make it grow. These things are like little treasures that can make your money grow bigger than if you just kept it in a piggy bank.

And guess what? They have a unique superpower because the powerful U.S. government, which is like a superhero in the vast world of money, is protecting them. Hey there! So, there's this cool thing called Treasury securities that small investors can buy. You can get them directly from the government through this special website called the Treasury Direct Portal. Or, if you prefer, you can also buy them from the secondary market. It's like a marketplace where people can sell these securities to each other. Pretty neat, huh?

5. Value Stocks and Mutual Funds

Oh, dear, let me tell you a little something about Treasury investments! They're like little money seeds that you plant and watch grow into big, beautiful trees of profit. Way better than just keeping your cash in your pocket, trust me! But, you see, these little investments called bonds are not as exciting as stocks. They are like the calm and steady turtles of the financial world. They don't take big risks, so they don't give you as much money in return. When it comes to investing, some people are really careful and don't like taking big risks. They want their money to be safe and not go away. But most people want to make more money, and they look for ways to do that. One way is by buying stocks, which are like little pieces of a company. Stocks can help you make more money, but they can also be a little risky.

Oh, and just so you know, not all stocks are equally risky. Some stocks are more risky than others, you see. Oh, let me tell you a little story about the stock market! It's like a big market where people buy and sell something called stocks. Now, there are two main types of stocks: value stocks and growth stocks. Value stocks are like those special items that are on sale at the market; they might not be very popular right now, but they have the potential to become more valuable in the future. On the other hand, growth stocks are like those super cool new things that everyone wants to buy because they have a lot of potential to grow and become even more valuable.

So, in the stock market, you can choose between these two types of stocks depending on what you think will be a good investment for you. Oh, honey, let me tell you about these growth stocks! They're like little seeds that have the potential to grow into big, beautiful trees. But here's the thing: some of these seeds are riskier than others. You see, there are these special seeds called technology stocks that deal with fancy ideas and cool technologies. But because they're so new and innovative, there's a chance they might not work out.

So, just like planting a seed that might not sprout, investing in these technology stocks can be a bit riskier. But hey, if they do grow into something amazing, you could have a real treasure in your hands! But you see, there are these things called value stocks, like Nucor. They're like little treasures that involve industrial metals. And the good news is, they're not as scary because people will keep wanting them for a long time. Comparable to possessing an exceptional rock that garners universal admiration and is coveted indefinitely.

So, you see, there are these special stocks called "value stocks" that are really good because they have strong foundations. These stocks not only go up in price steadily and stay stable, but they also give you a little extra money called "dividends" that you can count on. It's like having a piggy bank that keeps growing and gives you some coins every now and then! But if you want to learn about all the important things about value stocks, it can take a lot of time and be a bit tricky for regular folks like us. So, there are these special funds called dividend-focused mutual funds. One of them is called the Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares. These funds are great for people who want to invest their money and get regular payments called dividends. The Vanguard fund is especially good because it has a history of always paying out dividends and doesn't cost too much for regular people to invest in. It's comparable to a charming automobile that accepts your cash and returns it with additional cash!

6. Land and real estate

Accountants think land is a special kind of asset that doesn't lose value over time. They have a good reason for thinking that! It's like a special treat that not many people have, and everyone wants it all the time. Since forever, land has been super important and valuable. We need places to build houses, schools, factories, farms, and shops, and lots of other stuff too! And because there are more and more people in the world, they will always want more of it.

Just like everyone wants candy, people always want to live in houses, work in offices, and have shops in buildings that are built on the land. It's like a never-ending game of wanting and needing! So, imagine you have a piggy bank where you keep your money safe. Well, land and real estate are like special piggy banks that can protect your money from something called inflation. Inflation is when the prices of things go up and your money doesn't buy as much as it used to. But if you have land or real estate in your investment piggy bank, they can help keep your money safe and make sure it doesn't lose its value. So, they're like super-duper piggy banks that can help you in the long run!

Oh, listen up! So, Bloomberg conducted this study, and they discovered something fascinating. You know, the prices of houses? Well, they've gone up a lot over the years. In fact, they've tripled! Can you believe it? But here's the thing: there was this big problem in 2008 called the housing bubble. It made the prices go down for a while, but don't worry, they went back up again. So, even with that hiccup, the prices of houses have still gone way up! So, you know how sometimes money isn't worth as much as it used to be? Well, it's a good idea to have some real estate because it can help you out when that happens. It's like having a helpful friend who can protect your money!

But you see, many people who don't know much about investing only consider buying property when they're older because they only think about real estate as the place they live in. Owning a home that you don't owe any money on is a big achievement when you're in your 40s. But it's also a good idea to have a little piece of the retail property market, no matter how old you are. It can help you grow your money!

Oh, and guess what? Even though most people think you need a bunch of money to get into real estate, that's not actually true! You can totally get involved without having a tonne of cash. Oh, I have a fun way to explain this! So, imagine you have a special piggy bank called a REIT. It's like a magical piggy bank that helps you invest in real estate, which means buying and owning buildings and properties. But here's the twist: instead of just putting your money in one building, the REIT piggy bank lets you put your money in lots of different buildings, just like how you can put your toys in different boxes. And guess what? When those buildings make money, you get a share of it.

There's this really famous company called Ventas Inc. (VTR) in the US. They do something super cool: they invest in special buildings to take care of people's health. These buildings can be places where older folks live, places where scientists do research and even big hospitals! They're really good at what they do, and lots of people like them. Oh, oh! Another way you can do it is by borrowing money to buy houses that you can rent out to other people. It's like having your own little village where you're the boss and people pay you to live there. Pretty cool, huh? Oh, honey, paying your rent is similar to managing all the essentials for your home, such as the bills and loans. And guess what? It can even bring you some extra money to make you happy!

7. Collectibles

Oh, oh! So, there are these really old cars that are called vintage cars. They're super special, and not many people have them. Then, there are these beautiful art pieces that are really rare. They're like treasures! And there are these fancy handbags that are made with lots of love and care. They're so luxurious! Also, there are these special watches that are made in limited quantities. They're like collector's items! And lastly, there are these very first versions of famous books. They're like the very beginning of a great story! All of these things are in a special group called "asset class." When you buy a regular car and start driving it, the price of the car goes down by half. It's like the car becomes less valuable as soon as you start using it. But for old cars, the math goes backward like a magic trick! Just like how fine juice gets tastier as it sits, some things become more special and worth more as they get older.

Oh my goodness, guess what? There was this really old car called a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe from way back in 1955. And get this: someone actually bought it in the year 2022! Can you believe it? But here's the really crazy part: They paid a whopping 135 million euros for it! Can you imagine having that much money? It's like your eyes would start watering just thinking about it! Imagine this, my friend! There are only two of these special cars that have ever been made. That means they are super rare and valuable to people who love cars a lot. They are like precious treasures for car experts! Oh, oh! In 2017, there was this really famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci called Salvator Mundi. It was a big deal because some people didn't agree with it. But guess what? A super-rich Saudi prince bought it at an auction for a whopping 450 million dollars! Can you believe that?

You know, sometimes rich people like to spend a whole lot of money on special things that not many other people have. These special things are really valuable and will always be worth a lot of money. It's like having a treasure that never loses its sparkle! Oh, you know, sometimes certain things can be worth a whole lot of money if you find just the right person who wants to buy them. It's like finding a special treasure that can make you really, really rich! But for regular folks like us who want to invest, collecting special things can seem like something far away and hard to reach. So, there are these special places on the internet called online marketplaces, like Whatnot.

They resemble enchanted shops where one can trade in an assortment of extraordinary items, including rare baseball cards, comic books, action figures, and much more. It's a great way to find new homes for your treasures! Furthermore, even if you lack the financial means to purchase an item in its entirety, you can still remain a partial owner of unique items! There are these cool places called Convay and Masterworks where you can invest a little bit of your money and become a co-owner of really valuable stuff. It's like having a little piece of something super fancy!

The conclusion is like the ending of a story or the final answer to a question. It's when you figure out what happened or what the

By spreading your money across different things you can invest in, like six different things, you can keep your money safe and make even more money that you can pass down to your kids and grandkids. Oh, my dear friend, there are so many ways to keep your money safe and make it grow! You can choose to invest in different things, like shiny metals, useful materials, special money from safe places, valuable stocks and groups of money, pieces of land and houses, or even special things people like to collect. Each of these things has its own special benefits and can help you protect your money from getting smaller because of prices going up and banks not giving much interest. Hey there! Want to be in control of your money and make it grow? Well, it's time to start putting your money into these special things called assets. They can help you build a better financial future.

So, why wait? Start investing in these assets right now!