Pokemon cards, music royalties, sports memorabilia: Do alternative investments work?
When some rare first-edition Pokemon trading cards went on sale three years ago, Adam O’Brien was hit with a wave of nostalgia. For the now 32-year-old, it was an irresistible offer that had the potential for value in the long run.
It was a bit of a gamble, spending $100,000 for three packs of cards. But it paid off: two of them combined were worth more than what he paid.
“One could argue the Pokemon cards and trading cards are a better place to store your value than something like the U.S. dollar, just given the scarce properties of the cards,” said the Edmonton resident in an interview.
Alternative investments — assets other than stocks and bonds — may bring to mind hedge funds or real estate. But for millennials and generation Z, indulging in niche collectibles such as limited-edition shoes, handbags or trading cards is another way non-traditional investing has taken shape.