Real estate? Good time to buy now, disastrous time to sell. Gold and diamonds? Security issues, and lack of intrinsic value: society values them, but they are not usually in your PSK because of intrinsic value.

The stock market is the only investment medium that consistently stays ahead of inflation. Investment of assets, like everything else in life, is a gamble. Market is a good long term bet, lousy short term bet. Alternatively, you can take your money to the pony track, bet the favorite to show, and make 7-10% over the medium term. And you get to watch the horses. Which is great if you like horses. Which I do not. Personal favorite: invest in chocolate. It has appreciated in value steadily, and if the bottom falls out of the economy, you can eat it. Chocolate will get you through times of scarce money better than money will get you through times of scarce chocolate.