Investing In Something "Stable"

(CBS)  A dog may be man's best friend, but Peggy Parks would rather have an alpaca.

The 49-year-old's future is riding on the llama look-alikes, CBS News correspondent Kelly Wallace reports. Do her friends think she's crazy?

"My friends do think I'm crazy," she said.

She was sick of watching her retirement savings move in the wrong direction, so a year ago, Parks, a building-code inspector, decided to start breeding the furry and low-maintenance creatures from South America.

"With alpacas, it's something tangible that you have in your hand, it's always going to be there," she said.

She made the unconventional investment after learning how robust the alpaca business can be. Alpacas are in high-demand, because their fleece is used in high-end clothing, and a breeding female alpaca can fetch upwards of $15,000. Her initial $56,000 investment for seven animals has already paid off with two new baby alpacas.

"As you can see with a male and female, I've already made at least $15,000 in the first year," she said. "That's a nice return."

Turning to tangible assets - like alpacas - is nothing new. Investors did the same thing during previous market downturns, and didn't always come out ahead.

Travel to parts of Texas and there's a good chance you'll run into an emu. Breeding them for their lean meat was all the rage in the '90s, but when the investors lost their shirts, the birds were set free.

"Research, everybody should do their research," Parks said.

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Couric & Co.: Read more about Parks and how she's herding her savings.

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Three years ago, Parks didn't even know what an alpaca was.

But after doing her homework, she's betting her retirement on them.

[stupidrules3]

I find it hard to invest in something that eats. How much does an alpaca eat anyway? Groceries are way up you know.

[wl7bzh]

I''m spending my on an edumacation...edukashun..edu..School

[william_lerd]

I have invested some of my money in 40 year old hotwheel cars in mint condition.

[alpacalady1]

I appreciated seeing alpacas on this news segment and felt CBS did a good job presenting the alpaca lifestyle. However, in comparing it to the emu/ostrich fade pertinent facts were omitted. These two birds were raised largely for their meat and breeders were banking on the finicky taste buds of Americans to consume something unusual. Alpacas are raised strickly for their luxurious fleece that produces a durable, quality end-product. They are sensitive, intelligent, personable creatures that win the hearts of all who come in contact with them clearly demonstrated by the attendance at my Open Ranch Days this Thanksgiving weekend which approached 300 visitors. Visit an alpaca ranch in your area and see what I am talking about.

[tallyman2008]

Naw - only 3 things have stood the test of time

Hookers, Drugs, and Booze

[jrlordjr]

What kind of idiot buys gold at 778, particularly when it is dropping? Stamps are worthless, except to collectors. When the bottom finally drops the rest of the way, you''''ll be better off with a can of beans.

Posted by bobgee_1999

With a can of beans, it will at least pay off with gas.

[bobgee_1999]

What kind of idiot buys gold at 778, particularly when it is dropping? Stamps are worthless, except to collectors. When the bottom finally drops the rest of the way, you''ll be better off with a can of beans.

[jeanwithaj]

Please check your facts. Alpacas have sustained a fiber industry for thousands of years in South America. The market for the fiber already exists, unlike the emu/ostrich fads of the past where no market existed. Alpaca breeding is a scaleable business model with a regulated industry, and the end product is useful from cottage-biz crafting to commercial applications. It''''s non-cruel, eco-friendly, and grassroots, not a lawn ornament hobby/get-rick-quick/pyramid scheme. Like any other investment, it takes care, research, time and diversification for best ROI. Read the WSJ article that ran October 3rd for more.

[odeliafarms]

The alpaca industry is small and growing. To date, there are barely 150,000 alpacas in the US. There are two kinds of alpacas, suri and huacaya, each with their own unique fleece characteristics. Suris tend to be very rare and highly sought after for their silky, lustrous fleece. Huacayas are known for their wool-like, crimpy fleece that is soft and fine to the touch. There are many different aspects to the alpaca industry, so people are attracted to alpacas first because of the animal and then because of the skills that a new and developing industry needs. People can invest in alpacas with whatever amount of disposable income they may have. There are many different ways in which to become involved whether you own land or not. One dividend alpacas offer that other investments do not, is wonderful community of people you meet, all sharing a common interest. Although prices have varied depending on the economy, the industry has stayed relatively stable over its 20+ year life span. And of course alpaca ranchers all know the secret of alpaca farming - the peace you feel inside just watching them in the field after a hard day at the office. Priceless! n

[blackyowe]

They are nice pets like donkeys and dogs. There is nothing that special about them. I have a flock of sheep and they make me feel calm and peaceful too. Alpaca''s are just a snob thing and most of the world knows it. I have found that few alpaca breeders even bother to shear their animals at the right time. I have been watching this for a long time and the Alpaca growers do not even have a big following of hand spinners. Few of the Alpaca breeders have learned to spin either. There are allot of bloodlines where the wool is not even very good quality and the older the animal the harsher the coat.