Beat the Inflation Trap: 20 Investments That Benefit from Rising Prices

A woman in a red blazer holds a fan of U.S. dollar bills in one hand and extends her other hand forward against a plain white background.
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Inflation affects everyone by changing how much things cost and the value of money. Over time, prices for goods and services go up, making it harder to make the most of every dollar you earn.

Even though inflation can seem like a problem for your money, it also gives you opportunities to grow your wealth. This happens when you invest wisely in things that become more valuable during inflation. Knowing where to put your money can make a big difference in your financial future.

A recent study showed that inflation always reduces the buying power of money, no matter how fast it’s happening. When inflation is 2% or 4%, people lose money as prices rise, and this gets worse with higher inflation rates.

This means keeping your money in cash or low-interest savings accounts can lead to big losses over time. Knowing which investments do well during inflation helps you keep your wealth safe and benefit from rising economic trends.

This article lists 21 assets that usually increase in value as inflation rises. Each asset comes with practical examples and reasons why it performs well during inflation. If you’re new to investing or looking to safeguard your wealth, these options can point you in the right direction.

Let’s start with tangible assets that have a strong track record. 

Farmland

A trailer filled with pumpkins is parked on a grassy field near a brick barn, surrounded by trees under a cloudy sky.

Farmland is a rare and valuable resource that becomes more valuable when inflation rises. As people need more food and farm products, the value of the land and what it grows increases.

This makes farmland a good way to earn money in two ways: the land itself becomes more valuable, and you can sell the crops it produces. Since there is not much farmland available, many people want to buy it. You can invest in farmland directly or through funds that focus on agriculture to see its potential.

Silver

Stacks of 1-kilo silver bars labeled "Fine Silver 999.0" with serial numbers visible.
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Silver is both a precious metal and an industrial resource, which makes it well-suited to withstand inflation. Its role in manufacturing, renewable energy, and electronics ensures steady demand even as costs climb. 

It offers a lower entry point than gold, making it an accessible choice for many investors. As a tangible asset, silver also provides stability when currencies weaken. Investing options include coins, bars, and ETFs designed to track its performance.

Gold

Gold bars of various sizes are displayed on a sheet of music.

Gold is a valuable asset that helps keep wealth safe when prices rise. As money becomes less valuable, gold’s value often goes up, making it a reliable way to save money. Since there is only so much gold and many people want it, it is trusted worldwide for keeping money safe.

When the economy is uncertain, people like to invest in gold because it is a safe choice. You can invest in gold by owning it physically, buying shares in mining companies, or using funds that follow its price.

Real Estate

A suburban two-story house with gray siding and a triple garage, illuminated windows glowing under a twilight sky.

Real estate remains one of the most dependable investments during inflation. As construction and labor costs rise, property values often follow, making homes, commercial buildings, and industrial spaces more valuable. 

Rental properties also offer steady income streams that can be adjusted to match rising living costs, helping investors maintain their purchasing power. Real estate is also a tangible asset that holds intrinsic value, making it appealing in uncertain times. 

Opportunities to invest range from buying properties directly to participating in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

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Collectibles (Art, Antiques, Luxury Watches)

Close-up of a silver chronograph wristwatch with a black dial and gold accents, placed on a wooden surface. The watch has a metal band and multiple sub-dials showing different time functions.

Collectibles like fine art, antiques, and luxury watches become more valuable over time because they are rare and people always want them. When prices rise, richer buyers look for investments that keep their value, like these items.

When prices are high, we often see record-breaking sales at auctions. This shows how much these items are worth. To invest in collectibles, you need to know what you’re doing, but it can bring good returns and let you own special things.

If you choose carefully, collectibles can add a lot of value to your investments.

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Rental Properties

A two-story blue house with a front porch, flanked by neighboring homes. A for-sale sign is displayed in the front yard.

Rental properties provide a combination of regular income and long-term value appreciation, making them ideal during inflation. As housing costs rise, property owners can increase rents to match market rates, keeping their earnings aligned with inflation. 

High-demand areas often see low vacancy rates, adding stability to this investment. Property ownership also offers potential tax advantages, which enhance its profitability. Managed effectively, rental properties can build wealth while maintaining consistent cash flow.

Energy Infrastructure Investments

Two workers in orange uniforms and safety gear inspect a large industrial pipe, taking notes and measurements.

Energy infrastructure, like pipelines and storage facilities, does well when inflation rises and energy prices go up. These assets usually have long-term contracts that ensure steady income, even when the economy changes.

They are important for getting energy to people, so they are less affected by bad market conditions. Unlike energy stocks that can be unpredictable, investing in infrastructure often gives steady returns over time.

This mix of income and stability makes them a good choice for portfolios that want to resist inflation.

Dividend Stocks

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Dividend stocks offer a way to generate steady income while preserving capital during inflation. Companies in essential industries, such as utilities and consumer goods, often have strong cash flows that allow them to maintain dividends. 

These businesses can adjust their pricing to offset higher costs, keeping their profits stable. Reinvesting dividends creates the potential for compounding growth, adding to long-term returns. 

Selecting established, well-performing companies ensures reliability and consistent income.

Oil and Gas

A person in a yellow hard hat works on a laptop near an oil pumpjack, with another individual in a red helmet standing nearby, pointing at the machinery. This scene highlights some of the most in demand careers in today's energy sector.

When there is inflation, oil and gas prices often go up quickly because people need more energy. This can make the value of these resources and the companies that produce them increase a lot.

Buying shares in oil and gas companies or special funds that focus on this sector can be a good way to be part of this market. This sector can be unpredictable, but it is very important to the world’s economies, so it will likely keep its value over time.

Investors who choose energy-related investments carefully can gain from the growth caused by inflation.

Cryptocurrency

bitcoin

Cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, are often seen as a digital alternative to gold during inflation. Limited supply and decentralized nature contribute to their value as inflation-resistant assets. 

While volatile, cryptocurrencies have gained increasing adoption as a store of value and medium of exchange. Blockchain technology underlying these digital assets also adds to their appeal, providing transparency and security. 

Investors can access cryptocurrencies through exchanges, funds, or payment platforms designed for easy transactions.

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Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)

Magnifying glass over currency reveals the text: "Treasury Inflation-Protected Security.
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Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are special government bonds that help protect against inflation. The main amount of TIPS changes with the Consumer Price Index, so investors get returns that match inflation.

Interest payments are based on the new main amount, giving steady income. TIPS are very safe because they are backed by the government, making them a great choice for cautious investors.

You can buy TIPS directly or through special funds that focus on bonds linked to inflation.

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Fine Wine

A collection of wine bottles arranged on a shelf, decorated with red berries and clusters of green grapes.
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Fine wine has proven to be a valuable asset for investors seeking diversification during inflation. Limited production of high-quality vintages ensures scarcity, driving demand and increasing prices over time. 

The global market for fine wine continues to grow, supported by interest from collectors and enthusiasts. Investing in wine requires careful selection of bottles with strong potential for appreciation, often with the help of wine investment platforms or funds. 

Beyond financial returns, fine wine carries cultural and aesthetic value, adding a unique dimension to portfolios.

Forestry (Timberland Investments)

Tall trees with dense green foliage are shown reaching upward in a sunlit forest. Sunlight filters through the canopy, illuminating the undergrowth.

Forestry and timberland investments offer stability and growth during inflation, driven by the rising costs of wood and paper products. Timber is a renewable resource with versatile applications in construction, packaging, and energy, ensuring consistent demand. 

Land used for forestry also appreciates over time, further boosting returns. Investors can participate through direct ownership of timberland, timber-focused REITs, or funds dedicated to forest management. 

This combination of land value and renewable resources makes forestry a sustainable investment option.

Small Businesses

At the bustling cafe counter, the barista navigates through the morning rush with ease, handing a paper bag and two coffee cups to a customer, smoothly trumping the chaotic traffic of eager patrons.

Small businesses, especially those in important areas like healthcare, food, and repair, can do well during inflation. They can easily change their prices to keep up with rising costs, which helps them stay profitable.

You can own these businesses by investing directly, buying a franchise, or partnering with others. This gives investors different ways to get involved. Businesses with loyal customers and local demand usually do well, even when the economy is tough.

Helping these businesses can bring money back to investors and also benefit the community.

Industrial Metals (Copper, Aluminum, Steel)

A worker wearing protective gear uses a grinding tool on a large metal part, with sparks flying, inside an industrial facility.

Industrial metals like copper, aluminum, and steel are essential for building and manufacturing, ensuring their value rises during inflation. Infrastructure projects and technological advancements drive demand for these materials, increasing their worth. 

Supply chain limitations often add to price growth, making them even more lucrative. These metals can be accessed through direct purchases, ETFs, or shares in mining companies. Their critical role in the global economy makes them a strong choice for inflation-proof investments.

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Stocks in Energy and Utility Companies

A tall electricity pylon stands in a field, framed by a cloudy sky at dusk, with silhouettes of trees in the distance.

Energy and utility stocks often perform well during inflation due to their essential role in daily life. These companies provide critical services, allowing them to pass rising costs to consumers without losing demand. 

Many also offer dividends, providing consistent income alongside capital appreciation. Sectors like renewable energy, oil, and gas have seen particularly strong growth in inflationary periods. 

Investing in these stocks through individual shares or ETFs offers a straightforward way to benefit from this stability.

Royalties and Licensing

A scattered collection of various design books, including titles like "Universal Methods of Design" and "Build User Trust.

Royalties and licensing provide consistent income streams that are often tied to inflation-resistant assets like intellectual property. This includes earnings from music, patents, books, and film rights, all of which can grow in value as demand increases. 

The scalability of royalties allows rights holders to generate revenue with minimal ongoing effort. Investors can participate through direct ownership or funds specializing in royalty streams. These investments offer a unique way to benefit from creative or technological innovations.

Insurance-Linked Securities

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Insurance-linked securities (ILS) are financial tools connected to insurance policies, like catastrophe bonds. They give returns based on insurance claims, not on how the market is doing. This makes them strong against inflation.

The value of ILS goes up when premiums increase, showing higher costs during inflation. Investors can get involved through funds that focus on insurance-linked products. This helps spread out their investments with assets that don’t change much with big economic changes.

Index Funds for Inflation-Resistant Sectors

one dollar bill currency money

Index funds that focus on industries like healthcare, consumer staples, and technology provide a balanced way to invest. These funds combine stocks from companies that have done well during times of inflation, offering stability and steady profits.

They have low costs and spread investments across many areas, making them attractive for investors who plan to hold onto their investments for a long time. Investing in these funds makes managing your investments easier while giving you access to important sectors. As inflation helps these industries grow, index funds consistently increase in value.

Commodities ETFs

A bustling market scene with displays of fresh fruits and vegetables, including peppers, peaches, cherries, and greens, and people browsing in the background.

Commodity ETFs offer an accessible way to invest in a range of inflation-resistant materials, including metals, energy, and agriculture. These funds track the performance of underlying commodities, simplifying the process for investors who prefer not to manage individual assets. 

Their diversification across multiple sectors reduces risk while capitalizing on inflationary trends. Commodities ETFs also provide liquidity, allowing investors to enter and exit positions easily. This flexibility makes them a practical choice for building an inflation-protected portfolio.

Protect Your Wealth Against Inflation

A woman in a green blazer smiles while holding stacks of US dollar bills in both hands in an office setting.

Inflation doesn’t have to hurt your money. It can actually help you make more money if you pick the right investments. Things like real estate, commodities, and special securities that protect against inflation can keep your money safe and even make it grow when times are tough.

Spreading your investments across different types, like physical assets, financial investments, and other kinds, helps you handle rising prices better. Knowing how these investments work helps you stay safe and secure your financial future, even when inflation affects the market.

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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.

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