A s a financial planner I work with a lot of clients and most of our investments are related to the stock market. Every time the markets seems to want turn around, it jerks back leaving most of us scratching our heads and wondering when the madness is ever going to stop. Everybody wants to buy gold. Everybody wants to buy silver. The price of gold has escalated well over the last couple of years. You have to realize that gold is a risky investmentand it fluctuates just like an individual stock — sometimes more! That being said, it is a stock market alternative, so if you have a fear of the stock market, then investing in gold coins might be a viable option for you. Another stock market alternative can be antiques. I am going to use my stepdad as a prime example. These are the toys from the 30s, 40s and 50s. He invested into various paintings and other different types of art.