Tech stock investors wonder: What if …

You’d have to live in another galaxy not to know that the Nasdaq composite index has gone nowhere in more than six agonizing years. But adding to that indignity for long-suffering stock investors is the fact practically every asset has done better.

Even assets not thought to be investments, ranging from “Star Wars” action figures to muscle cars to baseball cards, have put stocks to shame. In fact, of 19 alternative investments, ranging from baseball cards to Longaberger baskets to rare coins, just about the only way to have done worse than investing in the Nasdaq was to take a flyer on high-end Pez dispensers.

Among assets that have beat stocks during the past six years:

Classic cars: Anyone with the foresight to predict the craze over gas-sucking 1970s muscle cars scored the automotive equivalent of getting in on a hot dot-com initial public offering. Back in 1998, for instance, the 1971 four-speed version of the Plymouth Hemi Cuda Hardtop could have been had for $60,000. The price now: a cool $600,000, or a 900 percent profit.

Stamps and coins: Michael Schreiber, editor of Linn’s Stamp News, points out that stamps have appreciated at a relatively stable 3 percent-a-year clip since 1998, giving investors steady returns.

Star Wars: The original Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker action figures, pearls in any “Star Wars” fanatic’s collection, could have been yours for just $605 in 1998, complete with the coveted packaging. Those two figures would now fetch $1,400, a 131 percent gain.

Oil and gold: The rising price of Texas tea has made big returns for investors. Crude oil futures prices, which measure the price of oil, have jumped 245 percent since 1998. It’s not just “black gold” that has been a big winner. Fueled in part by the weakness of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies, rising demand for bullion has driven gold prices up 46 percent.

Loyalty programs demand attention

So-called loyalty programs are on the rise, but unless you’re careful, you can easily lose track of the rewards you’ve earned.

There are two kinds of loyalty programs — those that use reward credit cards and those that use membership point cards. Each program has its own conditions regarding how you earn and spend points, but there is one common factor — after some period of time, the points expire.

To keep track of them all, check out MileTracker.com. The Web site allows you to track your point totals in 79 loyalty programs. Simply download the free program and start monitoring your points.

Find a competent home appraiser

Homebuyers beware — real estate prices are on the rise, but less-than-honest home appraisers may be further inflating property values.

An appraisal that has been fudged upward can hurt you as a homebuyer. You might end up offering and paying more than the home is worth. Down the line, that extra money in your mortgage could cause you to lose out when refinancing or selling your home.

If you’re looking for a new home, make your offer contingent on an appraisal, recommends Shelley O’Hara and Nancy D. Lewis in “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Buying and Selling a Home.”

Here’s how to find a competent appraiser:

Ask your lender to recommend several individuals or companies.

Do research on the appraisers you are considering. They should be state-certified, and should be members of a professional appraiser organization such as the American Society of Appraisers.

Stick to local appraisers. A big part of the appraisal process is analyzing the neighborhood; you want someone who is familiar with the neighborhood — not someone from out-of-state.

Is wedding insurance necessary?

If you’re getting married, do you really need wedding insurance?

Consider your needs and what a policy covers before you decide, according to Alan Fields, author of the book “Bridal Bargains.” Wedding insurance premiums start at $155, and they don’t cover many of the things that may go wrong — such as if the bride or groom wants out of the relationship.

It may cover counseling for the bride and groom in the event of a postponed or canceled wedding, though.

Among the other things typically covered by wedding insurance are the following: Accidents at the wedding or while guests are on their way home; vendors who don’t show up; cancellation by the event site; damage or destruction of wedding attire; lost wedding rings; thefts of gifts or jewelry; illness among key members of the wedding party and loss of rental property.