real  estate is the best option.

This has to be the worst advice I've ever read.

Guns and ammunition, not necessarily antiques have done really well for me the last 5 years and I look for the ones that i bought last year to do really well in the next four years. Not a lot of maintenance, good gun cabinet, take up relatively small amounts of space.

An acre of farmland would be a wise investment. Better than any of the trinkets on this list. Why do people value crap?

Well, if you get a Harley, it better be an old one.  The new ones will never be worth anything, they are full of cheap Chinese and Taiwanese parts.  I have one now, and I will be getting rid of it in the Spring.  It`s a real shame what the manuacturers have done in the name of greed.  It`s the same with Gibson guitars.  They are not anywhere near the quality of the older ones   My two American made Fenders are holding their own, value-wise, but I don`t know for how long. 

I couldn't agree more ! I just finished getting the 'fat boy' ready for the toy's for tot's drives that'' be coming up - Yes- it's more fun than buying stocks ! I also have 4 guitars, one is a vintage Gibson Les Paul from the 50's (but it's wasn't owned by him- damn!) and I like to sit in on the local jazz club for a few sessions. One last collectable I'll share with you; I have a signed copy of Cheech & Chongs 'Bamboo You" & the INTACT rolling paper with their images. No one has that still !

This is the FIRST article you've posted that actually has meaning! The organized economy is failing. The financial sector and all it entails is the cause. We have just experienced a great period of CHEAP and SHODDY. We have lost almost our entire skill craft and artist aspect of society. Our immediate future looks like CRAP. That said... really great things that lifted our nation are our truest investments. Okay, so a wonderful mid-20th Century Gibson Guitar is a keeper, but does the owner play? It's only worthwhile if someone does, otherwise it's no more valuable than a Picasso living in a vault where no one can see it. That said... there is an endless list of desired things out here and many are dwindling as the trash goes out each week. One day the economy will change. People will remember and want the things they couldn't get. Priceless stuff is often just that-- priceless and buyer-less. Better to remember now and think about why it was valuable to you. If it made you happy or elated, it very well could be a hot ticket some day. Saving (hoarding) anticipating what others will desire isn't the smartest thing. Remember Beanie Babies... there are probably more of them still in the packages than out. That didn't make anyone happy.