Following real estate bust, what is the best low risk investment these days?

The best low-risk investment is really just folk wisdom: diversify!

During any bear or bull market there are always industries that will do well. Remember, rich people have to park their money somewhere to hedge against whatever international financial disaster is on the horizen. So try to determine what people are worried about (housing market collapse, inflation) and then figure out what they are excited about (gold, oil).

If guaranteed return is a must (no-risk) then look to Inflation-Protected Securities.

Economies moves in cycles ... so look back to 1976 ... utilities and energy was hot ... then after the realestate bust, high-yeild junk bonds was the way to riches.

In general it is held that there is a link between risk and return. If you want to be (almost) absolutely certain that you won't lose your money you can stick your cash into CDs or US government bonds. Very safe but your money won't grow rapidly. Alternately if you have more of a taste for risk you can stick your cash into the stock market. An S&P 500 mutual fund or exchange traded fund (such as the IVV fund) eliminates the risk of investing in individual stocks and over the long term will probably appreciate far more than bonds or cds. That's my personal recommendation, though over the short term the market can fluctuate significantly.

t-bills and foreign government bonds. t-bills are the safest dollar based investment but not immune from drastic devaluation of the dollar which is likely to happen during the crash as the government dumps trillions into bailing out the banks and all the fools who bought more house than they could afford or could afford to heat using adjustable rate mortgages.

Odds are that a major crash is awaiting us somewhere down the road just around the curve. Tighten your seat belt and be ready to take evasive action.

Oil and Gas stocks
Bonds
Value Stocks
High-Dividend paying stocks

Real estate.

If it's already busted it means the prices are rock bottom damn good discount deals that should be taken advantage of. Buy half the town. Then in a few years when prices rise you'll be happy.

I like the real GOLD nuggets.

As most gold is mined as very fine dust and tiny nuggets, the larger (over 1oz) nuggets are very rare! Actually they are as rare as large diamonds!

I would suggest you look into large nuggets!

To see the 'live' spot NY gold price and some museum size gold nuggets I suggest you visit a great site I found a few months ago. I purchase a few nuggets from them just about a month ago, and not only are they beautiful to look at but in just the last few weeks they have really moved up in value!

I'm actually saving to purchase others!

The site is: http://www.california-gold-rush-miner.us


Their museum nuggets are at:
http://www.california-gold-rush-miner.us...

The most expensive gold is called Crystalline gold. Some great photos of it can be viewed at:
http://www.california-gold-rush-miner.us...
http://california-gold-nuggets-miner.blo...

Best low risk investments these days? Fixed Annuities. Very good interest rates, tax deferred and no risk. No fees if you go directly through insurance company, and they are guaranteed never to fall below a certain interest rate even if the market crashes, etc....
Let me know if I can put you in touch with a reputable insurance co.