Ten Ways To Beat Inflation - Forbes

Great chart comparing real estate investment vs other options in terms of beating inflation.

TRATEGY	ANNUAL EXPENSES, BASIS POINTS1	HAZARD	TAX TREATMENT2
FOREIGN EXCHANGE3	76	COSTS	BAD
GOLD ETF4	26	NEW SUPPLIES	TOLERABLE
HOME5	20	REAL ESTATE CRASH	VERY GOOD
JUNK BOND ETF6	40	DEFAULTS	DREADFUL
MORTGAGE7	20	DEFLATION	GOOD
REAL RETURN FUND8	73	DEFLATION	TOLERABLE
RESOURCE STOCKS	0	BUSINESS RISK	TOLERABLE
SOCIAL SECURITY POSTPONEMENT	0	CONGRESSIONAL DOUBLE CROSS	GOOD
TIPS	0	RISING REAL RATES	BAD
TREASURY LADDER	0	HYPERINFLATION	BAD

¹ANNUAL HOLDING COST PLUS A TENTH OF ROUND-TRIP TRANSACTION COST. ASSUMES TREASURYS BOUGHT AT AUCTION. A BASIS POINT IS 0.01%.²IF ASSET IS OUTSIDE A TAX-SHELTERED ACCOUNT. ³COST SHOWN IS FOR POWERSHARES BEARISH DOLLAR ETF. ⁴ISHARES GOLD TRUST. ⁵REALTOR AND CLOSING COSTS ONLY, APPLIED TO A PORTION OF HYPOTHETICAL SALES PRICE. ⁶SPDR HIGH YIELD. ⁷CLOSING COSTS ONLY. ⁸FIDELITY STRATEGIC REAL RETURN.