Gasoline sits near record highs, economic growth slows, real estate prices drop, interest rates are rising and cutting money supply and inflation is on the rise.

Yet, many investors simply think stocks will stay high and this is forgetting the problems in Iraq and the huge crisis coming with Iran!

You don't think stocks are going to fall? Read on.

Simply put Iran does not like the US and vice versa are they going to gave in to UN demands? They are a huge oil producer what if they use this weapon? Prices will soar consumer confidence will drop and stocks could crash!

An unlikely scenario?

Lets see what happens, but if confrontation does come and no one is looking to back down stocks could go into a downward spiral and with other problems in the world economy stocks could go down and stay down.

So how do you protect yourself?

The answer is take action and diversify but into what and how much in terms of capital gains can you expect?

Let's look at an alternative.

The alternative is one of the secrets of most of the words richest investors.

Howard Hughes made huge profits, Donald Trump still does and even Bob Hope made millions,. as do most of the worlds richest investors, from this investment.

The investment is land and if you have never considered it then you should:

It's cheap, simple and easy to invest in and has a better risk reward historically than stocks!

The best way to invest in land at present is to look overseas.

There is a place just 3 hours from the US, where increasing numbers of Americans and Europeans are making 50100% annual gains with low risk and the place is Costa Rica.

Now consider these advantages:Land is cheap in Costa Rica at up to 70% less than in the US.Land has fantastic risk reward low downside and plenty of upside with savvy investors making 50100% + per annum.It's easy to invest Costa Rica, this country wants outside investment and they make it easy. For example, you get the same rights as residents and its very tax efficient.The country is stable both economically and politically and has strong ties with the US.

So won't this market crash?

Consider this:

More and more Americans and Europeans are moving and retiring here to cut costs and live a better life.

The worse it gets in these countries, the more Costa Rica could benefit.

For Americans it's only 3 hours away and the savings of 70% on property and living costs, mean they can get a better standard of living in a paradise, that's affordable.

More and more baby boomers are facing up to reality and that is:

Stay in the US and live a life with less comforts than their used to. They don't want to do this and more and more are looking abroad.

Costa Rica is just a 3 hour flight away with huge expat community and they can not only maintain their standard of living they can improve it.

The worse it gets at home, the more people will move, this trend is already in an upward curve.

So why land? Well property is built on it!

Prime property is in short supply and buying land in the right location does and will continue to yield extraordinary gains as new developments spring up all over the country.

If you have never considered land as an investment you should. It's cheap and easy to do and people have been making large profits with low risk and maybe you could to.