Author: Jing Pan

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Headline inflation has eased in the U.S., but according to economist and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, soaring prices may persist amid President Donald Trump’s tariff plans.

“Developments in the last 24 hours suggest we may be headed for serious financial crisis wholly induced by US government tariff policy,” Summers wrote in a post on X on April 9.

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Though inflation rates have come down from the pandemic highs, Trump’s tariffs might reverse the progress. The Federal Reserve, after slashing rates twice last year, announced a brief pause in January.

What’s more, 90% of chief financial officers across large organizations in the U.S. have rung warning bells regarding a resurgence of inflation and potential economic slowdown, according to the latest quarterly CNBC CFO Council survey.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell echoed these sentiments, saying that Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs were “significantly larger than expected.”

“The same is likely to be true of the economic effects, which will include higher inflation and slower growth,” Powell said in early April.

Summers, a vocal critic of the Trump administration, stated that the latest tariff policies made “little sense.”

“If any administration of which I was a part had launched an economic policy so totally ungrounded in serious analysis or so dangerous and damaging, I would have resigned in protest,” he wrote in a different post on X on April 3.

Inflation impacts everyone by eroding the purchasing power of money. If you share Summers’ concerns, here are three strategies to potentially guard against its impact.

Invest in real estate to hedge against inflation

Real estate has long been considered a hedge against inflation thanks to its intrinsic value and income-generating potential.

When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream adjusted for inflation. This combination makes real estate an attractive option for preserving and growing wealth during periods of ever-increasing prices.

If you’re an accredited investor, First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows you to invest in necessity-based commercial real estate.

FNRP has developed relationships with the nation’s largest grocery-anchored brands, including Kroger, Walmart, and Whole Foods. With a minimum investment of $50,000, accredited investors can access promising real estate investments.

Their team makes investing in commercial real estate simple by offering white-glove services to investors. FNRP acts as the deal leader, providing expertise and doing the legwork, while investors can use their secure platform to explore available deals, engage with experts and easily make an allocation.

You can also get into real estate by investing in hand-picked rental properties. One way you can tap into this market is by investing in shares of vacation homes or rental properties through Arrived.

Backed by world-class investors, including Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of residential properties to earn passive income without the operational headaches that come with managing your own rental.

To get started, simply browse through Arrived’s selection of pre-vetted properties, each selected for their appreciation and income generation potential. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100.

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Diversify your retirement portfolio with gold

Gold is another popular long-term hedge against inflation.

The reasoning is simple: Gold can’t be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks like fiat money. Because its value isn’t tied to any one currency or economy, diversifying into gold can provide some protection during periods of economic uncertainty. This unique characteristic has led to a reputation for being a “safe haven” asset.

In other words, gold’s appeal as a stable store of value typically grows when inflation erodes the purchasing power of currencies.

Investors have already taken note of gold’s resilience. In fact, gold has increased in value sevenfold over the last 100 years. Even better, in 2025, gold prices have surpassed $3,000 per ounce.

Opting for a gold IRA gives you the opportunity to hedge against market volatility by allowing you to invest directly in physical precious metals rather than stocks and bonds.

Priority Gold is a particularly good fit for those looking to diversify their portfolios, add gold to an IRA or learn more about investing in previous metals. Plus, Priority Gold has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 5-star rating from Trust Link.

If you’d like to convert an existing IRA into a gold IRA, Priority Gold also offers a 100% free rollover, not to mention free shipping and free storage for up to five years. Qualifying purchases can also receive up to $10,000 in free silver.

To learn more about how Priority Gold can help you reduce inflation’s impact on your nest egg you can download their free 2025 gold investor bundle.

Purchase contemporary art as an investment

It’s easy to see why great works of art tend to appreciate — especially during times of inflation. Supply is limited, and many famous pieces have already been snatched up by museums and collectors.

For example, in 2022, shortly after inflation reached a 40-year high, the art collection of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen sold for a total of $1.5 billion at Christie’s New York, making it the most valuable private collection of all time. As such, art can be a popular way to diversify a portfolio because it’s a tangible asset with little correlation to the stock market.

Traditionally, investing in art has been a privilege reserved for the ultra-wealthy.

But now, investors of all experience levels can invest in the art world.

Masterworks is a platform for investing in shares of blue-chip artwork by renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Banksy. Masterworks is easy to use and has had 23 successful exits to date, every one of them profitable. Even better, postwar and contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P by 64% between 1995 and 2023, according to Masterworks.

How it works is simple: Start by browsing Masterworks’ impressive $1 billion portfolio of paintings and choose how many shares you’d like to buy. Masterworks will handle all the details, making high-end art investments both accessible and effortless.

Masterworks has already sold over $61 million worth of art, including the principal, and distributed the proceeds to everyday investors. What’s more, the art market had almost no correlation with the S&P 500 between 1995 and 2024, according to the MW All Art Index, which can make an investment in fine art worth considering for your portfolio.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs are sending shockwaves across industries — and the auto world is feeling the impact. A 25% levy on imported vehicles is shaking up the market, prompting bold moves from major automakers.

Ford has launched its “From America, For America” initiative, extending employee pricing to all U.S. customers on most models from April 3 to June 2. The company says it’s more than just a promotion — it’s “a handshake deal with every American.”

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Employee pricing typically means paying below the dealer invoice, potentially saving buyers hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Ford isn’t alone. Stellantis — the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram — has rolled out a similar offer, expanding employee discounts across most of its new lineup.

Sticker shock ahead — so save where you can

For car buyers, uncertainty is the new normal. While Ford and Stellantis are stepping in with incentives, others — including Audi and Jaguar Land Rover — have paused U.S. shipments in response to new import tariffs.

Industry experts at Cox Automotive warn that prices on new vehicles are likely to rise this year as the effects of Trump’s 25% tariff ripple through the market. The firm estimates that imported vehicles could cost $6,000 more, while U.S.-assembled cars may see a $3,600 increase due to tariffs on automotive parts.

That would be an added burden for consumers at a time when car ownership is already becoming more expensive. According to the American Automobile Association, the total cost of owning and operating a new vehicle in 2024 has climbed to around $12,297 per year — or $1,024.71 per month.

One major recurring expense is car insurance, and many people overpay without realizing it. According to Forbes, the national average cost for full-coverage car insurance in 2024 was $2,149 per year (or $179 per month). However, rates can vary widely depending on your state, driving history and vehicle type.

By using OfficialCarInsurance.com, you can easily compare quotes from multiple insurers, such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO, to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

In just two minutes, you could find rates as low as $29 per month.

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Higher inflation, slower growth — and 1 time-tested safe haven

The tariffs have only just taken effect, but many experts are already sounding the alarm about their impact.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently warned that the tariffs could trigger widespread economic fallout, including “higher inflation and slower growth.”

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon echoed the concern, warning that inflation would hit “not only on imported goods but on domestic prices, as input costs rise and demand increases on domestic products.”

Billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio sounded an even more dire note, pointing to stagflation — a toxic mix of high inflation, weak growth and rising unemployment.

“The first order consequences of [tariffs] will be significantly stagflationary in the U.S.,” Dalio wrote on X.

To brace for economic turbulence, Dalio recently emphasized the power of diversification and the role of one time-tested asset.

“People don’t have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” he noted in an interview with CNBC. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”

Gold has long served as a hedge against inflation. It can’t be printed out of thin air like fiat money, and because it’s not tied to any single currency or economy, investors flock to it during periods of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, driving up its value.

Over the past 12 months, gold prices have surged by 29%.

For those looking to capitalize on gold’s potential while also securing tax advantages, one option is opening a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an option for those seeking to ensure their retirement funds are well-shielded against economic uncertainties.

When you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you can receive up to $10,000 in silver for free.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs have sent shockwaves across the globe, as he attempts to rein in the massive trade deficits the U.S. has with other nations.

While many economists have criticized Trump’s blunt approach — and markets have reacted poorly — the issue he’s targeting is far from trivial. While the president has since gone back and forth on levying the tariffs, legendary investor Warren Buffett has been sounding the alarm on America’s growing trade deficit for decades.

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Back in 2003, Buffett wrote a Fortune article with the striking title: “America’s Growing Trade Deficit Is Selling The Nation Out From Under Us. Here’s A Way To Fix The Problem — And We Need To Do It Now.” In it, he issued a stark warning about the long-term risks of persistent trade imbalances.

A trade deficit occurs when a country imports more than it exports. While that might sound harmless, Buffett warned that over time it leads to something far more serious: a steady transfer of national wealth to foreign hands.

To drive the point home, he introduced a parable involving two fictional islands: Thriftville, whose industrious citizens produce more than they consume and export the surplus, and Squanderville, whose inhabitants consume more than they produce, financing their excess consumption by issuing IOUs to Thriftville.

Over time, Thriftville accumulates substantial claims on Squanderville’s future output, leading to a scenario where Squanderville’s citizens must work harder just to repay the debt, effectively becoming economically subservient to Thriftville.

Buffett took the analogy further, warning that Thriftville’s citizens might lose faith in Squanderville’s IOUs.

“Just how good, they ask, are the IOUs of a shiftless island?” Buffett wrote.

“So the Thrifts change strategy: Though they continue to hold some bonds, they sell most of them to Squanderville residents for Squanderbucks and use the proceeds to buy Squanderville land. And eventually the Thrifts own all of Squanderville.”

Buffett’s central concern was that the U.S. was behaving just like Squanderville — consuming far more than it produced, and becoming increasingly indebted to the rest of the world.

He warned that, at the trade deficit level at the time, foreign ownership of U.S. assets would “grow at about $500 billion per year.” As that ownership increases, he cautioned, so too will the net investment income flowing out of the country.

“That will leave us paying ever-increasing dividends and interest to the world rather than being a net receiver of them, as in the past,” he wrote. “We have entered the world of negative compounding — goodbye pleasure, hello pain.”

That was more than two decades ago. But Buffett’s warning still resonates today. By the end of 2024, the U.S. net international investment position had plunged to -$26.2 trillion — meaning foreign investors now own over $26 trillion more in U.S. assets than Americans own abroad.

Buffett’s market-based fix: a ‘tariff called by another name’

Buffett proposed a bold fix: a concept he calls the “Import Certificate” system — a market-based solution to reduce the U.S. trade deficit.

Here’s how it works:

Exporters earn certificates — For every dollar an American company earns by exporting goods or services, it receives an Import Certificate of equal value.

Importers must buy certificates — To bring goods into the U.S., importers must purchase these certificates from exporters.

This effectively limits total imports to the value of exports, achieving trade balance. It also creates a powerful financial incentive to export, since companies can sell their certificates on the open market to importers.

How does Buffett’s idea compare to the sweeping tariffs currently being implemented by Trump?

Buffett himself acknowledged that, “in truth,” his import certificate system is “a tariff called by another name.” But he was quick to note that it avoids the typical pitfalls of traditional tariffs — namely, industry favoritism, geopolitical tension, and the risk of escalating trade wars.

“This is a tariff that retains most free-market virtues, neither protecting specific industries nor punishing specific countries nor encouraging trade wars,” he wrote. “This plan would increase our exports and might well lead to increased overall world trade. And it would balance our books without there being a significant decline in the value of the dollar, which I believe is otherwise almost certain to occur.”

In other words, Buffett’s proposal is designed to nudge markets toward equilibrium — not to punish America’s trading partners.

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‘The best thing to do’ for everyday investors

While Buffett’s solution was never implemented, it’s clear that investors haven’t responded well to Trump’s version. Markets around the world have tumbled in the wake of his tariff announcements, with the sell-off wiping out trillions of dollars in global equity value.

And while headlines are dominated by recession fears and rising geopolitical tensions, Buffett has consistently emphasized one unwavering belief — his confidence in America.

“American business — and consequently a basket of stocks — is virtually certain to be worth far more in the years ahead,” Buffett wrote in his 2016 letter to shareholders.

That same optimism carried through in his 2022 letter:

“I have yet to see a time when it made sense to make a long-term bet against America. And I doubt very much that any reader of this letter will have a different experience in the future.”

When it comes to individual investors, Buffett’s advice is as simple as it is enduring.

“In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund,” he famously stated. This straightforward approach gives investors exposure to 500 of America’s largest companies across various industries, providing diversified exposure without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.

The beauty of this approach is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns — a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.

Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: simply link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5 — and, if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.

While investing in an index fund is straightforward, some investors may want guidance on building a portfolio tailored to their specific financial goals. That’s where a professional can help.

With Vanguard, you can connect with a personal advisor who can help assess how you’re doing so far and make sure you’ve got the right portfolio to meet your goals on time.

Vanguard’s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisors and automated portfolio management to make sure your investments are working to achieve your financial goals.

All you have to do is fill out a brief questionnaire about your financial goals, and Vanguard’s advisors will help you set a tailored plan and stick to it.

Once you’re set, you can sit back as Vanguard’s advisors manage your portfolio. Because they’re fiduciaries, they don’t earn commissions, so you can trust that the advice you’re getting is unbiased.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon isn’t one to sugarcoat his views on the economy — his take on the stock market at the beginning of the year was anything but reassuring.

“Asset prices are kind of inflated,” Dimon told CNBC on Jan. 22 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “I’m talking about the U.S. stock market.”

His concern isn’t without merit. Trump’s latest tariff policies have battered the stock market — the S&P 500 index declined by over 10% in early April, formally entering correction territory. After an impressive 23% gain in 2024, the broader market index is now down nearly 14% year-to-date.

“The recent tariffs will likely increase inflation and are causing many to consider a greater probability of a recession. And even with the recent decline in market values, prices remain relatively high,” Dimon, who serves as JPMorgan chairman and CEO, wrote in a letter to shareholders.

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Dimon supported Trump’s tariffs in January, calling them a “little inflationary” yet imperative for national security.

But Dimon now sees the U.S. economy weakening in the wake of Trump’s April 7 “Liberation Day” tariffs, according to a recent JPMorgan shareholder letter.

“The economy is facing considerable turbulence (including geopolitics), with the potential positives of tax reform and deregulation and the potential negatives of tariffs and ‘trade wars,’ ongoing sticky inflation, high fiscal deficits, and still rather high asset prices and volatility,” Dimon acknowledged.

If you share these concerns, here are some ways to protect your portfolio.

Precious metals

When markets look shaky, investors often turn to gold — and for good reason. The precious metal is seen as a store of value, offering protection against inflation, economic downturns and stock market volatility.

Rogers has long been a proponent of precious metals to hedge against uncertainty. In an October interview with Wealthion, he explained why he continues to hold gold and silver.

“I know from history that the world is going to have problems again … and when the world has problems … it’s nice to have some gold in the closet, or under the bed, have some silver in the closet,” Rogers said.

“Because no matter what, many people will turn to gold and silver in times of turmoil.”

As market uncertainty mounts, investors often take cover with precious metals. For instance, gold has climbed around 35% over the past year, hitting over $2,800 per ounce, while silver has posted impressive gains of around 36%, reaching over $30 per ounce.

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is with a gold IRA from Priority Gold.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold. This can make gold IRAs an attractive option for those seeking to secure their retirement fund against economic uncertainty.

Even better, when you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you’ll be eligible for up to $10,000 in free silver.

Real estate

Dimon also expressed skepticism to CNBC about inflation cooling in the near future.

As such, investors looking to diversify beyond stocks to shield their wealth from the impacts of inflation might find real estate a compelling choice.

Property values tend to rise with inflation, reflecting the increasing costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income has been shown to climb, providing landlords with a steady revenue stream that adjusts with the cost of living.

Of course, purchasing a property requires significant capital — and finding the right tenant takes time and effort. But thanks to modern investment options, you don’t need to own a property outright to gain exposure to real estate as a financial asset.

Platforms like First National Realty Partners allow accredited investors to own a piece of institutional-grade, grocery-anchored properties without the hassle of finding and managing property.

FNRP properties are leased to national brands like Whole Foods, CVS, Kroger and Walmart. Thanks to triple net leases, investors can potentially collect grocery-store-anchored income without worrying about operational headaches cutting into the bottom line.

For those considering a more economical way to get started, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived make it easier to invest in real estate with as little as $100.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos and Marc Benioff, Arrived lets you invest in residential property nationwide.

You can potentially generate passive income in two ways through Arrived — any rental income generated from the property you invested in is paid out as dividends monthly, and any capital gain from property value appreciation is paid out at the end of the investment hold period.

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Fine art

It’s easy to see why great works of art tend to appreciate over time. Supply is limited, and many famous pieces have been snatched up by museums and collectors. This makes art an attractive option for investors looking to diversify their holdings.

In 2022, a collection of art owned by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen sold for $1.5 billion at Christie’s New York, making it the most valuable collection in auction history.

But for a long time, investing in art was a privilege reserved for the ultra-wealthy.

Now, that’s changed with Masterworks — a platform for investing in shares of blue-chip artwork by renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Banksy. Masterworks has had 23 successful exits to date, and every one of them has been profitable. All told, Masterworks has distributed over $60 million in proceeds back to investors, including the principal.

To get started, simply browse their impressive portfolio of paintings and choose how many shares you’d like to buy. Masterworks will handle all the details, making high-end art investments both accessible and effortless. See important Regulation A disclosures at Masterworks.com/cd.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

President Donald Trump has set a bold plan in motion for America’s financial future — one that mirrors the strategies of oil-rich nations and resource-heavy economies: a sovereign wealth fund.

On February 3, 2025, Trump signed an executive order directing the creation of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund. The order mandates that the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce develop a plan within 90 days, detailing funding mechanisms, investment strategies, fund structure, and governance models.

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While the initiative is still in its early stages and specific details remain scarce, Trump is highly optimistic.

“We’re going to create a lot of wealth for the fund, and I think it’s about time this country had a sovereign wealth fund,” he told reporters.

It’s unclear how the fund would be financed, but Trump has previously suggested it could come from “tariffs and other intelligent things.”

Despite Trump’s confidence, the proposal has drawn skepticism.

Economist Peter Schiff, a vocal supporter of Trump during the election season, didn’t hold back in his criticism.

“Even if the U.S. government didn’t have a massive $36.5 trillion national debt, the idea of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund is not only preposterous, it’s also unconstitutional,” he wrote in a post on X. “Plus, the last thing we need is more socialism or for the U.S. government to pick winners and losers.”

Others have also raised concerns about the economic feasibility of such a fund.

“The economic rules of thumb don’t add up,” said Colin Graham, head of multiasset strategies at Robeco in London. “Creating a sovereign wealth fund suggests that a country has savings that will go up and can be allocated to this.”

The U.S. government doesn’t have much in the way of savings — it has debt. As of this writing, the U.S. national debt stands at $36.22 trillion, raising concerns about whether a sovereign wealth fund is financially viable.

Whether Trump’s sovereign wealth fund becomes a game-changing wealth-generating force or faces insurmountable challenges, the responsibility falls to all Americans to take control of their own financial future. While governments debate policy, savvy investors have always prioritized building and protecting wealth — regardless of political shifts or who occupies the White House. Here’s a look at three easy ways to get started.

Warren Buffett’s No. 1 strategy for everyday investors

When it comes to building wealth, few investors have a track record as impressive as Warren Buffett. From 1964 to 2023, his company, Berkshire Hathaway, delivered a staggering total gain of 4,384,748%.

Yet, despite his legendary success in picking winning companies, Buffett doesn’t believe that’s the right approach for most investors. Instead, he champions a much simpler strategy:

“In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund,” he famously stated.

This approach gives investors exposure to 500 of America’s largest companies across various industries, providing diversified exposure without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.

Buffett believes so strongly in this strategy that he has instructed 90% of his wife’s inheritance to be invested in “a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund” after he dies.

The beauty of this approach is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.

Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5 — and, if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Real estate: the industry that built Trump’s fortune

Real estate has been another powerful vehicle for long-term financial growth, and it’s a strategy that Trump himself knows well. Long before he entered politics, Trump built his fortune through high-profile real estate ventures, from luxury developments to commercial properties.

Investors gravitate toward real estate for good reason — well-chosen properties can generate passive income through rent while also having the potential to appreciate in value over time.

Additionally, real estate serves as a proven hedge against inflation. As the cost of materials, labor, and land rises, property values often follow suit. Rental income also tends to increase, allowing landlords to offset the impact of inflation and preserve their purchasing power.

The best part? These days, you don’t need to be a real estate mogul like Trump to take advantage of this strategy. Platforms like First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allow accredited investors to own part of institutional-quality, grocery-anchored properties without the hassle of finding and managing deals themselves.

FNRP properties are leased to national brands like Whole Foods, CVS, Kroger, and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, investors can enjoy the potential to collect stable, grocery store-anchored income every quarter, without worrying about tenant costs cutting into the bottom line.

Schiff’s safe haven: why gold still shines

For investors looking to add defense and stability to their portfolios, gold remains a time-tested option.

During periods of uncertainty — whether geopolitical, financial, or policy-driven — investors often turn to gold. The precious metal is seen as a store of value, offering protection against inflation, economic downturns and stock market volatility.

Even though markets aren’t in crisis mode, gold has been on a remarkable run. Over the past year, it has surged around 40%, recently surpassing $2,800 per ounce.

Schiff, a long-time advocate for the yellow metal, believes this is just the beginning. “If gold can go from $20 an ounce to $2,600 an ounce, it can go from $2,600 to $26,000, or even to $100,000. There’s no limit because, again, gold isn’t changing — it’s the value of the dollar that’s decreasing,” he predicted.

At today’s prices, a move to $100,000 per ounce would represent an astounding upside of over 3,300%.

Opting for a gold IRA gives you the opportunity to hedge against market volatility by allowing you to invest directly in physical precious metals rather than stocks and bonds.

Priority Gold is an industry leader in precious metals, offering physical delivery of gold and silver. Plus, they have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 5-star rating from Trust Link.

If you’d like to convert an existing IRA into a gold IRA, Priority Gold offers 100% free rollover, as well as free shipping, and free storage for up to five years. Qualifying purchases will also receive up to $10,000 in free silver.

To learn more about how Priority Gold can help you reduce inflation’s impact on your nest egg, download their free 2025 gold investor bundle.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

When it comes to investing, few command more respect than Warren Buffett. The reason is simple: from 1964 to 2023, his company, Berkshire Hathaway, delivered an astonishing overall gain of 4,384,748%.

That kind of success has created immense wealth for its shareholders, including Buffett himself. Forbes estimates his net worth at US$143.5 billion, placing him among the world’s richest individuals.

But the stock market is unpredictable, and not everyone shares Buffett’s track record. We’ve all heard cautionary tales of investors losing fortunes chasing stock tips.

Buffett believes many investors fall into a fundamental trap. In an interview with Yahoo Finance, Buffett was asked what he sees as the biggest mistake investors make.

His response was immediate: “They just don’t realize that all you have to do is just buy a cross section of America, and they never listen to people like me or read the papers or do anything subsequently. They think that because you can trade, you should trade.”

Put simply, investors trade too often. Buffett attributes this issue to the stock market’s low transaction costs compared to other asset classes.

“You buy a farm, you buy an apartment house, you can’t resell it tomorrow [because of] the cost of moving around. Now you get something handed to you — liquidity, which in an instant, you can sell, and the cost of doing it are pennies compared to other kinds of investment activity. So because they can so easily move around, they do move around and moving around is not smart in investing,” he explained.

In other words, just because you can trade frequently doesn’t mean you should.

Warren Buffett proclaims: The best thing to do

Buffett’s message is clear: Long-term success in investing doesn’t require constant buying and selling. He advocates owning a “cross section of America.”

This philosophy stems from his unwavering confidence in the U.S. economy.

“American business — and consequently a basket of stocks — is virtually certain to be worth far more in the years ahead,” Buffett wrote in his 2016 letter to shareholders.

Berkshire’s own investment strategy reflects this belief. Its US$295-billion equity portfolio is heavily weighted towards American companies across diverse industries, reinforcing Buffett’s faith in the nation’s long-term economic strength.

For those unsure about which American businesses to invest in, Buffett offers a straightforward solution: “In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund,” he famously stated.

This simple approach gives investors exposure to 500 of America’s largest companies across various industries, providing diversified exposure without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.

Buffett’s commitment to this strategy is evident in his estate planning: he has directed that 90% of his wife’s inheritance be invested in “a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund” after his passing.

The beauty of this approach is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it.

Buffett likes productive assets

Buffett’s point about how “you can’t resell it tomorrow” when investing in farmland or apartment buildings is also worth highlighting.

Unlike stocks, which can be traded instantly, real assets come with higher transaction costs — but that’s not necessarily a drawback. Investors typically aren’t looking for quick flips; they’re in it for the long-term income these assets generate.

With farmland, you can earn money through crop sales or leasing fees. With rental properties, you can collect monthly rental income — both providing a steady cash flow while the asset itself appreciates over time.

Buffett has personal experience with both. In 1986, he bought a 400-acre farm near Omaha, and in 1993, he acquired a New York retail property next to NYU.

His verdict?

“The two investments will be solid and satisfactory holdings for my lifetime and, subsequently, for my children and grandchildren,” he wrote in his 2013 letter to Berkshire shareholders. He also predicted that the income from the two investments “will probably increase in the decades to come.”

Today, you don’t need to buy a whole farm or an entire building to invest in these asset classes.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

The stock market has taken a hit in recent weeks, as escalating trade tensions under President Donald Trump have rattled investor confidence. Many are worried about the fate of their finances.

But investing legend Warren Buffett has a simple test to help cut through the noise — and spot what truly counts.

In a 2018 interview with Yahoo Finance, Buffett said there are two types of things people buy: one qualifies as a real investment — the other, not so much.

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The test to tell the difference is simple. If trading were banned for a period of time, would the asset still hold up?

Buffett walked through how that works with some examples.

“If you buy something — a farm, an apartment house or an interest in a business — and look to the asset itself to determine whether you’ve done something, what the farm produces, what the business earns, and so on, you don’t really care whether the stock market’s open,” Buffett said. “You look at the investment itself to deliver the return to you.”

Simply put, the kinds of assets Buffett sees as real investments produce returns on their own. They don’t need an open market — or a future buyer — to be worthwhile.

That’s not the case with more speculative assets. As Buffett explained:

“Now, if you buy something like Bitcoin or some cryptocurrency, you don’t have anything that’s producing anything. You’re just hoping the next guy pays more — and you only feel you’ll find the next guy to pay more if he thinks he’s going to find somebody that’s going to pay more.”

Buffett’s philosophy can offer peace of mind. Markets are inherently volatile. Even high-quality assets can swing wildly in price. But if your investment doesn’t depend on being sold to someone else to deliver value, you can worry less about the day-to-day ups and downs.

He summed it up clearly: “If you ban trading in farms, you could still buy farms and have a perfectly decent investment.”

Let’s take a closer look at the kinds of assets that pass Buffett’s test — and how you can get in on them.

Real estate

Buffett may not be known as a real estate investor, but he often uses real estate to illustrate what a productive, income-generating asset looks like.

In 2022, Buffett stated that if you offered him “1% of all the apartment houses in the country” for $25 billion, he would “write you a check.”

Why? Because regardless of what’s happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live and apartments can consistently produce rent money.

The best part? You don’t need to be a billionaire investor to get in the game. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have made it easier for average Americans to invest in rental properties without the need for a hefty down payment or the burden of property management.

With Arrived, you can invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving rental income deposits from your investment.

If you’re interested in commercial real estate, there are plenty of opportunities as well.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP), for instance, allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Farmland

Farmland is another asset Buffett likes to point to — and yes, it passes his test with flying colors.

Alongside his comment about apartments in 2022, he also stated: “If you said … for a 1% interest in all the farmland in the United States, pay our group $25 billion, I’ll write you a check this afternoon.”

Just like housing, farmland meets a basic human need. No matter what’s happening in the markets, people still need to eat. That consistent demand makes farmland a resilient, long-term asset — and often a hedge during times of economic uncertainty.

If you are interested in gaining exposure to this space, FarmTogether is an all-in-one investment platform that lets qualified investors buy stakes in U.S. farmland. The platform identifies high-potential agricultural properties and then partners with experienced local operators to manage the land effectively.

Depending on the type of stake you want, you can get a cut from both the leasing fees and crop sales, providing you with a cash income. Then, years down the line after the farm rises in value, you can benefit from appreciation of the land and profits from its sale.

Index funds

When it comes to advice for everyday investors, Buffett suggests one simple thing: an S&P 500 index fund. These are investment funds that offer broad exposure to the S&P 500 — the top stocks listed on U.S. exchanges.

Such a straightforward approach gives investors instant diversification without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.

The beauty of this approach is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.

Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5 — and, if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.

Just keep in mind that, while the S&P 500 has a healthy average annual rate of return, past gains don’t guarantee future returns. There may be rough times ahead, but long term, tracking the index can provide results.

What to read next

• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Here are 3 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Nearly 1 million Americans have a net worth of at least $10,000,000 — here are 3 ‘quiet’ ways the ultra-wealthy grow their riches (and how you can join the club ASAP)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has taken a hard line on President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, vowing to hit back with retaliatory trade measures designed to inflict “maximum impact” on the U.S.

While tensions between the two allies have escalated, “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary believes Carney’s tough talk is little more than political theatre ahead of Canada’s upcoming federal election.

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“The anti-U.S. rhetoric is being stirred up by Carney because his party devastated the country over the last 10 years, and the only way he can stay in power is to convince people he’s the solution against Trump,” O’Leary said in a March 31 interview with Fox Business. “The rhetoric has never been hotter, and of course he’s five weeks away from an election, so he’ll stir the pot any way he can.”

Canada’s election is scheduled for April 28. O’Leary, who was born in Canada, didn’t hold back in his criticism of Carney and the prime minister’s Liberal Party.

“You’ve got to remember, Canada actually only grew under the Liberal Party 1.4% in 10 years. The economy is wiped out,” he said. “One of the reasons Canadians can’t go to Florida is, his party wiped out the value of the dollar … Canadians can’t afford to go to Disneyland anymore.”

O’Leary didn’t cite a source for his growth figure, but Trevor Tombe, professor of economics at the University of Calgary, has noted that Canada’s real GDP per capita grew just 1.4% from Q1 2015 to Q3 2024, based on data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The Liberal Party has been in power since late 2015.

As for the loonie (Canadian dollar), it has indeed weakened over the past decade. In April 2015, one Canadian dollar was worth about 81 U.S. cents. Ten years later, it trades closer to 70 cents — a drop of roughly 13.6%.

While O’Leary dismisses the tension as election-driven, trade disputes can trigger real geopolitical uncertainty with ripple effects that extend far beyond politics. Markets don’t react well to unpredictability, and we’ve already seen headlines of trillions in U.S. market value wiped out as Trump pushes forward with tariffs.

In times like these, financial experts often recommend taking steps to hedge against uncertainty. Here’s a look at three strategies that can help protect your wealth.

A classic safe haven

Gold has long been considered a go-to asset during times of economic and geopolitical uncertainty — and for good reason.

Unlike stocks or currencies, gold isn’t tied to any one government or economy. It also can’t be printed at will by central banks. Those characteristics make it especially attractive when confidence in political leadership, trade stability or the value of paper money start to slip.

When markets grow jittery, investors often turn to gold as a safe haven. Case in point: over the past year, gold prices have surged over 33%, recently topping $3,100 an ounce.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio has warned that most people “don’t have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio.”

He added: “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”

For those looking to capitalize on gold’s potential while also securing tax advantages, one option is opening a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an option for those seeking to shield their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

When you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you can receive up to $5,000 in precious metals for free.

A time-tested income play

Real estate has long been a favored way to generate passive income — and unlike stocks or bonds, it’s a tangible asset you can see and manage.

While markets can swing wildly in response to headlines, high-quality, well-located properties can continue producing rental income regardless of what’s happening on Wall Street.

Real estate is also a time-tested hedge against inflation. As the cost of materials, labor and land rises, property values often increase as well. At the same time, rental income tends to climb, giving landlords a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation.

While home prices have been soaring and mortgage rates remain elevated, you don’t need to buy a property outright to get in the game. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have made it easier for average Americans to invest in rental properties without the need for a hefty down payment or the burden of property management.

With Arrived, you can invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving rental income deposits from your investment.

If you’re interested in commercial real estate, there are plenty of opportunities as well.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP), for instance, allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

A finer alternative

It’s easy to see why great works of art tend to appreciate over time. Supply is limited and many famous pieces have already been snatched up by museums and collectors. This also makes art an attractive option for investors looking to diversify.

In 2022, a collection of art owned by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen sold for $1.5 billion at Christie’s New York, making it the most valuable collection in auction history.

Investing in art was once a privilege reserved for the ultra-wealthy.

Now, that’s changed with Masterworks — a platform for investing in shares of blue-chip artwork by renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Banksy. It’s easy to use, and with 23 successful exits to date, every one of them has been profitable thus far.

Simply browse their impressive portfolio of paintings and choose how many shares you’d like to buy. Masterworks will handle all the details, making high-end art investments both accessible and effortless.

Masterworks has distributed roughly $61 million back to investors. New offerings have sold out in minutes, but you can skip their waitlist here.

What to read next

• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Here are 3 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Nearly 1 million Americans have a net worth of at least $10,000,000 — here are 3 ‘quiet’ ways the ultra-wealthy grow their riches (and how you can join the club ASAP)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Social Security has been in the headlines ever since Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) set their sights on the program.

Public concern has grown, fueled by Musk’s fiery claims of fraud within the system — some of which have been debunked by experts.

Tensions escalated further when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently suggested that his 94-year-old mother-in-law “wouldn’t complain” if Social Security missed a payment — unlike fraudsters, who would “yell and scream.”

Amid mounting worries about the program’s future, Musk took the stage at a town hall in Wisconsin on March 30 to clarify his position.

“DOGE will absolutely ensure that people get their Social Security, make sure they get their Social Security, make sure they get their Medicaid and will not be cutting any legitimate payments whatsoever,” Musk said.

Approximately 69 million Americans receive a Social Security check every month, and many depend on it to make ends meet.

According to the Social Security Administration, 39% of men and 44% of women aged 65 and older rely on Social Security for at least half of their income. Perhaps more striking, 12% of men and 15% of women depend on it for 90% or more of their income.

Yet, despite Musk’s reassurances, the long-term outlook for Social Security remains uncertain. The program’s annual trustees report projects that its combined trust funds will be able to pay benefits in full until 2035. After that, the funds’ reserves will be depleted, and the program’s income will only be sufficient to cover 83% of scheduled benefits.

Given these challenges, securing additional sources of income can be crucial for financial stability in retirement. Here are two options to consider.

Collect passive income from real estate

Real estate has long been a popular option for retirement investors, since well-chosen properties can provide a steady stream of rental income. It is also considered a hedge against inflation, with property values and rental income often rising alongside the cost of living.

While the prospect of collecting monthly rent checks sounds appealing, being a landlord does come with its challenges. You need to find reliable tenants, collect rent and handle maintenance and repair requests (out of your own pocket) — and that’s if you can save enough for a down payment and get a mortgage to buy a property in the first place.

The good news? These days, you don’t need to buy a property outright to reap the benefits of real estate investing. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have made it easier for average Americans to invest in rental properties without the need for a hefty down payment or the burden of property management.

With Arrived, you can invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving rental income deposits from your investment.

If you’re interested in commercial real estate, there are plenty of opportunities as well.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP), for instance, allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.

High yield savings options

Whether you’re nearing retirement or already retired, high-yield savings options offer a low-risk way to generate income passively while keeping your funds accessible.

Some high-yield savings accounts offer much higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, allowing your money to grow without needing to lock it away in long-term investments.

There are also non-bank options like the Wealthfront Cash Account, offered by Wealthfront, a financial services company known for its robo-adviser platform.

The Cash Account currently offers a 4.00% APY, along with FDIC insurance coverage of up to $8 million through partner banks. The account comes with zero account fees and offers unlimited fee-free transfers and withdrawals, making it a flexible and secure option for growing your cash reserves.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Given how much home prices have soared in America, many homeowners may be feeling richer than ever. But real estate mogul Grant Cardone says your house isn’t a smart investment — far from it.

In an interview with podcaster Sean Mike Kelly, Cardone called buying a home “a terrible investment.”

That may sound ironic coming from someone known for investing in residential real estate. But Cardone was quick to explain why: “[A home] doesn’t cash flow. You don’t get big tax write-offs because of it. You have no leverage. You’re living in it. You’re paying for it. You never own it. Even when the loan is paid, you don’t own it, no, you still got to pay property taxes, still got to insure, still got to maintain it.”

When you buy a home to live in, it’s true that it doesn’t generate any cash flow. And even once the mortgage is paid off, there are still ongoing costs: property taxes, insurance premiums, repairs and maintenance. And they can add up fast.

A 2024 Bankrate study found that the “hidden expenses” of owning a single-family home in the U.S. total $18,118 per year — covering everything from property taxes and insurance to maintenance, repairs and utilities. In other words, expect to spend nearly $20,000 annually on top of your mortgage payments.

Cardone says that what keeps people from recognizing the financial downsides is emotion.

“People get emotional about their house — ‘It’s my house!’” he said. “It ain’t your house. You’re a partner in this house with the state.”

‘Never buy a house’

Cardone’s suggestion is simple: “Never buy a house, rent where you live.”

But that doesn’t mean he’s against real estate entirely.

“I’m not saying don’t own real estate,” he clarified. “I’m saying live in a house and pay rent. Take all the money that you would have spent on that house and invest in real estate that cash flows — that pays you every month.”

So, what kind of real estate is he talking about?

Cardone listed several options: “Could be retail, storage, apartment buildings like we invest in. Could be land — if you’re a farmer or rancher and you know how to get cows to cash flow, then do that.”

Let’s break down some of these opportunities.

Retail

Cardone pointed to retail real estate as one potential opportunity — but not all retail is created equal.

With the rise of e-commerce, many brick-and-mortar stores have struggled, which can directly affect the income stream for retail property owners. That’s why selectivity is key.

Ben Mallah, another fellow Florida-based real estate mogul, says he focuses on what he calls “essential real estate” — specifically, “retail that the internet can’t hurt” and “Amazon can’t hurt.”

As online shopping continues to disrupt traditional retail, properties that serve everyday, in-person needs — like grocery stores and pharmacies — tend to offer more resilience. Big-box retailers may come and go, but think about your local supermarket. How long has it been in the same spot? Likely for years, if not decades. That kind of staying power is what makes grocery-anchored real estate attractive.

And you don’t need deep pockets like Cardone or Mallah to access this space. First National Realty Partners (FNRP), for instance, allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.

Apartments

Another type of real estate Cardone suggests? Apartments — a sector he’s heavily invested in himself.

Multifamily properties offer a key advantage: consistent cash flow. Unlike single-family homes, apartment buildings typically house multiple tenants, which helps spread out risk. If one unit sits vacant, the others can still generate income.

Apartments also tend to be resilient during economic shifts. No matter what’s happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live. And with elevated home prices making ownership less accessible for many Americans, more people are turning to renting — which helps drive demand and keep occupancy rates high.

As with retail, real estate investment platforms and REITs have made it easier than ever for everyday investors to access the apartment market.

Take Fundrise, for example. The platform manages more than $2.87 billion in equity on behalf of over 385,000 individual investors. Its holdings span single-family rentals, multifamily properties and industrial buildings across the U.S.

Getting started is simple. After providing some basic details about your financial background and investment preferences, Fundrise will recommend a portfolio tailored to your goals. You don’t need to be an accredited investor — and you can get started with as little as $10.

Farmland

Cardone also mentioned agricultural land — though with a caveat: it’s best suited for those who understand how to make it cash flow.

While farmland isn’t as commonly discussed as retail or apartment buildings, it can be a compelling long-term investment. The logic is simple: come what may, people still need to eat.

That consistent demand makes farmland a resilient asset — often serving as a hedge during times of economic uncertainty.

According to the USDA, U.S. farmland values have steadily climbed over the past few decades, driven by increasing demand for food and limited supply of arable land.

Getting exposure to this space is easier than you might think. Publicly traded REITs like Gladstone Land (LAND) and Farmland Partners (FPI) allow investors to participate in the sector without owning or managing farmland directly.

If you are looking for options outside the stock market, FarmTogether is an all-in-one investment platform that lets qualified investors buy stakes in U.S. farmland. The platform identifies high-potential agricultural properties and then partners with experienced local operators to manage the land effectively.

Depending on the type of stake you want, you can get a cut from both the leasing fees and crop sales, providing you with a cash income. Then, years down the line after the farm rises in value, you can benefit from appreciation of the land and profits from its sale.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.