Areas to invest in – that aren’t shares

THE stock market is volatile by nature, so many people are scared of investing in it. Or, they want to diversify their portfolio to make sure they can ride out any market ups and downs over time. The good news is that there are lots of things you can invest in that aren’t shares!

Whisky and wine
Investing in alcohol that does well with age, like whisky and wine, can serve you well for a long-term plan. Vintage wines can fetch thousands of pounds per bottle. You do need to have somewhere to store wine properly, though. Make sure you have a suitable cellar or room where the bottles can’t be easily disturbed – and if you don’t have such a space, look into renting wine storage.

Investing in whisky barrels doesn’t require your own storage. A licensed merchant will store your cask for you. Whisky generally increases in value above inflation, although it can still go down in price.
However, it is a tax-free gain, because technically it is a wasting asset as some whisky evaporates through the porous barrels over time, called the ‘angel’s share’. So, your gains are not taxed.