Lucas Shaw hit the jackpot.
The 27-year-old from Ohio used his investment gains to buy a custom engagement ring with three diamonds totaling 3.5 carats.
His windfall didn’t come from Palantir, Nvidia or any stocks in fact.
It came from trading cute fictional characters that first appeared in a 1996 Nintendo videogame.
Because according to Card Ladder, Pokémon cards have delivered a 3,821% cumulative return since 2004.
That crushes the S&P 500's 483% return over the same period.
Now, if you're over 50, you might be rolling your eyes thinking "kids these days with their cartoon cards."
But before you feel too superior... the older generation has done the exact same thing over the past 50 years with commemorative gold coins, rare whiskey and investment-grade art.
Different wrapper. Same problem.
Here's what all these "alternative investments" have in common.
When you own Apple stock and want to sell, you execute the trade in seconds at a price everyone agrees on.
When you own a rare Pokémon card, a limited-edition bottle of Macallan, or a painting from an up-and-coming artist... you need to find a specific buyer willing to pay your asking price.
That could take weeks or months.
Stock prices are determined by millions of buyers and sellers trading continuously.
The value of your collectables?
That depends on rarity, condition ratings from third-party graders, current market sentiment… and whatever some stranger thinks it's worth that particular day.
Here's what really gets me though.
Whether it's Pokémon cards, rare bourbon, or proof gold eagles... these markets all run on the same fuel, emotion.
Gen Z chases pieces of their childhood. Others chase pieces of American heritage or sophistication.
But when your investment thesis boils down to feelings rather than cash flow... you're not investing. You're shopping with a story attached.
Look, I'm not saying these things are worthless…
Lucas made real money. People have profited from whiskey and art too.
There's genuine demand from collectors.
But there's a massive difference between putting a small percentage of your portfolio into collectables for fun… versus treating them as a core wealth-building strategy.
The vast majority of your money should be in liquid assets that generate predictable returns. Like stocks. Or an income strategy like The Wheel that pays you whether the market goes up or down.
Save the Pokémon cards for entertainment. And save the rare whiskey for actually drinking.
Oliver