* These notes contain referral links donated by an asterisk.

In this episode, the FI Garage discusses alternative investment choices: what we’re experimenting with and what our thoughts are. We sample a few new beers as usual too. If you found this podcast you’re probably familiar with the FI/RE movement that has grown in popularity recently. Here at the FI Garage, we’re all on the path to FI, however, we consider the RE part optional.

Beer #1 – Heritage River Hefeweizen  – Brewed & Bottled in Duncan, BC by Red Arrow Brewing (1:15)

Vancouver Island Moustache Meetup (1:30)

Housekeeping

Neil from Balancing Fire corrects our dividend calculations on BNS, see dividend investing show notes for correction (7:20) Brewing Fire has an article about CoastFIRE that relates to last weeks episode [9:10)

Interesting Article

Work remotely? Tulsa, Oklahoma wants you (and your laptop) to move (10:25)

Alternative Investments

Cryptocurrency and why we don’t like it as an investment (15:05)Art and Collectables as an investment (20:50)Goldcoin (23:13)Crowd-Sourced Investments (24:45) Imbyx (35:35) Lending Loop* (25:50) Republic (41:00)Alternative investment should really only be made with “play” money (33:10)The Mechanic tries to rebrand as a “financial scientist” (34:05)We find out the Mechanic invested $500 of garage capital in IMBYX (38:25)Roomie – the AirBnb for roommates (43:15)Investing in Entrepreneurial activities (48:50) The Mechanic and Economist discuss their visit to Munich (50:00)Co-power Green Bonds (52:25)Funding a 2nd mortgage (57:50)

Beer #2 – Hefe-Weibier – Brewed & Bottled in Munich, Germany by Paulaner (49:35)

Deep Dive – Lending Loop Portfolio Performance

88.6% in good standing1.5% within the grace period3% late5.5% Delinquent1.5% in default$0 charged offWeighted average gross yield 14.6%

Reading List

As dreams of homeownership fade, B.C. startup offers shares in Vancouver homes for as little as $1Freedom 35’s Lending Loop Update – 2018 Results (29:25)Maple Money’s Lending Loop Review: Peer-to-Peer Lending in Canada Republic platform summaryCo-Power Green bondsAn Inside Look At Private Mortgage Lending (from Boomer & Echo and Nelson Smith)