As students in college, we can certainly relate to the uncertainty of the future. The fragile economy has people scrambling for a reliable investment, but most people are not sure what makes a good investment. Is it the fact that it has inherent value? Maybe it is the fact that it will be worth something in a few years. Yet it’s hard to know what will still be worth something in twenty years.
This idea of investment came to us one day as we faced the daunting task of purchasing specialty cheeses. I don’t know how many of our devoted readers have ever attempted this, but we can assure you that it is intimidating. There you are- somewhere between the glinting lights and sterile linoleum tiles of your local grocery store. In front of you stands a stainless steal cornucopia of bounteous products of French, Swiss, Italian, German, Dutch and Wisconsin origin. Strange and wonderful names like Gruyere, Emmentaler and Jarlsberg stare out at you from beneath smiling cows and Swiss cottages. Around you are thin, old men in tailored suits surveying the packages down their noses and wondering if it was aged at the proper temperature and humidity in a cave beneath the French Alps. The Cheese Specialist looks at you suspiciously- not convinced that you are the type who would be buying such elite foodstuffs, so what are you up to, loitering around the odoriferous edifice? Like we said, intimidating. The whole experience is as intimidating as the auspicious world of investment. Which brings us back to our original point.
As you invest, you may feel similar feelings to those that we experienced as we bought our status-boosting cheese. There will be old men, looking practiced and sure, asking questions that you had no idea applied, but certainly sound relevant. The stockbrokers and other investors will be looking sideways at you through their half-rimmed Versace glasses, wondering why someone who clearly has no experience in investments would have the presumption to start now. The world of investment will seem sterile and hostile to you, but don’t be afraid. Deep down, they are just cheese cutters with nice shoes. You may try a few cheeses that aren’t quite to particular taste, and you might buy some cheeses at a ridiculous price, but do not despair.
As someone who has limited experience with cheese, you may think that you have nothing to offer. But just remember, the stuffed shirts in Versace glasses have extremely sterile and ventilated houses, while you, and your moldy old basement will have the cave-like texture that will be just the climate for the ripening of perfect cheese.
And so for your next investment opportunity, may we suggest a collection of cheeses?
