Alternative investments can serve as the secret sauce in a well-diversified portfolio, offering a chance to boost returns and reduce overall risk by moving beyond traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds. However, this potential comes with its unique set of complexities and risks. 

Let’s delve into the world of alternative investments to understand what options are available to you.

1. Real Estate

Real estate is arguably the most popular alternative investment. It ranges from rental properties and real estate investment trusts (REITs) to commercial real estate and property crowdfunding platforms. 

These investments can provide a steady income stream (through rents or dividends) and potential appreciation over time. However, real estate investments often require substantial capital and can be illiquid.

2. Private Equity

Private equity involves investing directly into private companies or conducting buyouts of public companies, resulting in their delisting. Because these investments are not traded on public exchanges, they can offer high returns, but they are less liquid, more complex, and often require significant capital, typically making them suitable for accredited or institutional investors.

3. Hedge Funds

Hedge funds are pooled investment funds that use a range of strategies to earn active returns for their investors. These strategies may include leverage, derivatives, and short-selling. Although potentially profitable, hedge funds are known for their high fees, complexity, and lack of transparency. Like private equity, they’re generally available only to accredited or institutional investors.

4. Commodities

Commodities include physical assets like gold, silver, oil, natural gas, and agricultural products. Investing in commodities can provide a hedge against inflation and diversification. Investors can access commodities through futures contracts, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or by buying the physical asset. Note that commodity prices can be volatile, influenced by factors like geopolitical events and natural disasters.

5. Venture Capital

Venture capital involves investing in startups or young, small companies that are believed to have high growth potential. Venture capital can offer impressive returns if the startup succeeds and goes public or gets acquired. However, due to the high failure rate of startups, venture capital investments are risky and often reserved for sophisticated investors.

6. Collectibles

Collectibles, or ‘passion assets,’ include art, wine, antique cars, coins, and more. While these investments can appreciate over time and offer enjoyment to the owner, their values are highly subjective and can fluctuate wildly. They also incur costs for insurance, storage, and maintenance.

7. Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have gained significant attention as an alternative investment. They offer high potential returns but are known for their extreme volatility. Investing in cryptocurrencies requires a good understanding of the technology behind them and a willingness to withstand potentially significant losses.

8. Peer-to-Peer Lending

In peer-to-peer lending, investors provide loans to individuals or businesses through online platforms in exchange for regular interest payments. This can offer higher returns than traditional fixed-income investments, but it also carries a risk of borrower default.

Before venturing into alternative investments, it’s crucial to assess your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals. Keep in mind that these assets can be less liquid, more complex, and more volatile than traditional investments. Therefore, conducting thorough research, and possibly consulting with a financial advisor, is essential before adding alternative investments to your portfolio. 

With the right approach, these non-traditional asset classes can add valuable diversification and yield enhancement to your investment strategy.