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Times have changed, and so are the ways people invest. Even if the stock market confuses you and cryptocurrency scares you, you can still grow your money by exploring alternative options that align with things you’re interested in.
Stick with us as we break down why these options could help shape your financial future, because building a smart portfolio today looks a lot different than it did in the past.
1. Art
This year, the world was astounded as a work by the 17th-century Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn was sold at auction for US$1.4 million. The particular artwork had apparently been stored in the attic of a farmhouse in Maine in the United States for decades.
Closer to home, in 2018, Raden Saleh’s painting Perburuan Banteng (Banteng Hunt) sold for 7.2 million euros ($7.8 million) at an auction in France to an anonymous Indonesian collector, the most expensive Indonesian artwork ever sold. It also sat for decades in the cellar of a retired French couple in Brittany, who inherited it from a diplomat relative, before it was rediscovered.
Now, you might never find a forgotten masterpiece in your attic. Still, you can enter the art market and support culture by investing in artworks from Indonesian or other Asian artists.
2. Ultra-luxury handbags
Luxury items have proven time and time again that they hold their value, and sometimes even increase, during uncertain times.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, second-hand luxury goods platform Vestiaire Collective notes that the average price of a Hermès bag went up 15 percent in 2022 compared with the year before. A second-hand croco sellier Birkin is currently open for sale at Hunt Street for Rp 1.25 billion ($80,295).
If you’re looking for a friendlier economic option, the cheapest pre-loved Kelly available on the website costs upwards of Rp 82 million.
But don’t just take our word for it: A 2022 report by Credit Suisse and Deloitte found that collectibles, such as Chanel handbags and wristwatches, offer the best protection against inflation.
3. Classic watches
If you’re looking for another kind of arm candy, consider this: McKinsey expects the luxury watch resale market to reach $29 billion by 2025. In fact, Credit Suisse recorded a return of 8 percent for Rolex collector watches in 2020, and then a hefty 33 percent increase in 2021.
Today, the highest recorded value is held by the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, which fetched $31.19 million in Geneva in 2019. Surprisingly, last year, a unique G-Shock was sold for a whopping $400,050.
But you might have better luck getting struck by lightning than selling a Casio that high. We recommend sticking to brands with stronger luxury reputations, Richard Mille and Franck Muller might come to mind.
And of course, the holy trinity of Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet could probably afford a cushy retirement home in about three decades.
Beyond the brand, consider factors like rarity, condition, market demand and materials. For example, the finest Roger Smith watches will always contain pink gold, which only increases in value over time.
4. Collectible toys and cards
Action figures were all the rage back in your childhood, right? By the time you hit puberty, there was always some middle-aged man on the internet hoarding the very same action figures you once treasured.
We have the numbers to back it up. In 2019, a Boba Fett action figure with a rocket-firing backpack sold for $185,850 at an auction by Hake’s Americana and Collectibles. Even closer to home, a stack of Pokemon cards is listed for over Rp 50 million at Shopee and Tokopedia.
Selling prices, however, will fluctuate based on the condition of the action figures, their rarity and whether they are kept in their original packaging.
So, the next time your mom starts spring cleaning in your room, you might need a better hiding spot for what she calls your “toys.”
5. Environment
Green investing is arguably the most important one on the list, because it doesn’t just pay off financially, it also helps reduce harmful pollutants or uses resources more sustainably to protect the only planet we have.
Installing solar panels, for example, reduces your electricity bills over time, and shifting to an electric vehicle will eliminate your gas spending, all while reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Take the case of a man in Jakarta who invested Rp 53 million in solar panels. He successfully cut his monthly electricity bill from Rp 1 million to Rp 400,000. While saving Rp 600,000 a month might not seem huge, he will break even in around 7.6 years.
If he generates more power than he needs and is connected to the PLN grid, he can even sell his excess electricity back to PLN at 65 percent of the rate per kWh. And in the meantime, he can rest easy, knowing that his environmental impact is saving money.
Sheena Suparman is a writer for The Jakarta Post's Creative Desk. She is based in Jakarta but wishes she could be anywhere else. Usually powered by coffee and chips, she has been a proud member of the Swiftie cult since 2008.
