Insomnia last week descended into a deep dive via wild internet arguments. The underlying question is: Are alternative investments pure gold—or just fool’s errands disguised in elegant suits? Let’s reject the myths and really work through this with some real-life flavor and a little fun from Diversify Guy.

Drop first all ideas of stodgy boardrooms. Here we are talking alternatives: art, lending to people online, whiskey aging in enigmatic barrels. Has anyone in their right mind bought whisky casks to cash in? You have caught yourself wondering. You are not alone, far from.

Look at real estate crowdfunding first. It has been referred to as the collective project on investing. “We just bought an apartment building—well, a teeny fraction of it,” someone said over a boisterous family meal. The lure is actual inexpensive buy-in combined with large dreams. But this is not your typical stock; do not expect to cash out quickly. Market declines or building repairs surface, and your quick win becomes a protracted wait maybe accompanied by a surprise bill from the tax authorities.

Another curveball is peer-to- peer borrowing. “It’s like online dating but for money,” one buddy said, “and not everyone calls you back.” The great interest makes for excitement. The suffering begins when someone ghosts your loan. Though you never hear about the busted accounts, people enjoy flaunting the wins. Always dig into the fine print; else, you will have hollow promises and a smaller pocketbook.

Then there are souvenirs: shoes, comics, or those nostalgic trading cards. Until you’re knee-deep in boxes, up at midnight on auction sites, it’s enjoyable. My relative felt he would find great success reselling sneakers. Later, two mismatches and mounds of returns would have been sufficient. He had seen enough. Markets swing like a gate in a storm; a fortunate few cash in; the rest stuff the closets.

Let’s discuss precious metals—gold, silver, those flashy coins your grandfather swears by. People pack glitter heavily in hard times. Not expected, though, is exponential expansion. Metals are the “set it and basically forget it” kind of move. You hedge, not sprint.

Now for the crypto elephant in the digital room. You have not checked your spam folder if you have not seen those outlandish stories. Not even covered by roller coasters is it Indeed, some young people doubled their rent money. However, just as many spend their money on the next rocket-to- nowhere. Definitely exciting, but also heartbreak for countless.

If you want to experiment, start small and resist letting enthusiasm take center stage. Ask others and read more than just success posts. Go gambling with money you really need for bills or dinner not wise. And should you ever wind up the proud owner of a whiskey barrel, have a party regardless of how the bet pays out—that story’s value is something even if the bottle isn’t.

Keep your thinking cap on even if you mix it up and try new things. Not “Will this make me rich overnight?” is the query to pose. —is it just flashy and noisy or does this make sense for me?