BiggerPockets

Hello BP Nation,

I am trying to assess (re-assess) our investment holdings outside of RE. We are in our early 50's and I am quite awful at the stock market, etc. I wanted to ask what investment vehicles/allocations you all make with your assets. I have zero interest in having anything that requires active management. Quarterly balancing is fine, but I seem to be choosing the wrong funds, allocations, etc.

Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

In my home town street-cars are a big deal. I'm big on drag racing and it is a passion of mine outside of real estate.I buy, build, barter, sell, and race street cars. You can make a small fourtune buying and selling parts,and cars that have street credibility. Its just like real estate, people are blowing thru their retirement, savings, and Heloc to finance a hobby gone wild,and at some point needs to sell for whatever reason (its a money pit). For example:I picked up a Vortec T trim blower with all supporting mods for $3,000 (retails close to $9,000)from a guy who blow his motor up after a week of putting it together. I sold the kit on another racing forum for $4500. Its a paid hobby of mine that reqiures alot of time and commitment. I have a partner that helps me.Our products are mustang cobras, saleens,and roush.Our market is predominantly Kids from 17 to 25, you won't believe the money their parent have to spend.

Big tech--Apple, Cisco, HP
Some Vanguard funds
Small IT services business

FX
Structured prodcuts (guaranteed return and principal varying from 4.5-5.1%)
CD's
Friends business

Sounds like private lending where you really vet the borrower and collateral might be right for you.

I am 25% in my Currency Hedge Fund, 33% in Real Estate and 42% in my internet retailing business.

Cheryl,

They are prodcuts / instruments designed by Banks whereby they have combined a guaranteed deposit and juiced it up where by your return can increased if a certain thing happen

For example, last time they offered me a product whereby the principal is guaranteed and the retun is at minimal 2% (note the 3 mnth deposit rate at that time was 2.8%)

But depending on the movement of the EUR/USD the return can go up to 6%.

Now in my case I got 4.5%. But most of the time I only buy the once where the money is used for interbank lending rather than betting on movements of a certain underlying (FX, or stocks or index)

Bear in mind I am based in China!

There are other products where they offer much higher return but there is more risk (http://www.economist.com/node/18118975).

I believe banks in US / Europe offer structured products as well whereby this is packaged with the stock exchange or certain stocks do certain movements.

I'm mainly invested in my RE private lending business. I also hold some RE backed notes, automobile notes, and I lightly invest small sums in the businesses of friends and family. I used to play the stock market, but with the relative risk and reward to investing in real estate, why continue, right?

I am a silent partner in an outdoor equipment manufacturer. I used to run the business personally but as I became more involved in real estate I brought in a partner who runs the entire operation now. I feel that I have made more over the years than I would have if I had sold the business outright.

My other main investment is in my brokerage. I working on it so someday my real estate brokerage grows to be a nice addition to my primary investment business.

I invested some money into a hedge fund and I have to say I would never do it again.