The deadline to contribute to your RRSP is Monday, March 2, but given the poor stock market returns lately, many people are looking for alternative investments.

"The lot is 100 feet across the front, and 200 feet back," says John Palan as he shows off his latest investment.

He describes his RRSP returns last year as pitiful, so the 42-year-old contractor decided to put his money someplace else.

He purchased a lot in a new development called North Gimli Estates for $25,000.

"If I put it in my RRSP I won't be able to touch that cash for a lot of years, and again the return on that RRSP over that time I don't think can match real estate returns, especially in Manitoba," says Palan.

The developer of North Gimli estates is even marketing the property as a stock market alternative.

"These lots were selling four years ago for $8,000. Now they're selling for $27,500 so at the end of four years people made 200 percent on their money," explains Michael Bruneau.

Ken Segal runs a small, independent art gallery.

He says artwork, like stock in a company, can also appreciate.

In June last year he did a solo show for a particular artist and certain pieces were selling for $500. This year they're probably going to be $650 so his work is going up says Segal.

Segal recommends people buy art first, because they love it, but he says in the last year, given the state of the markets, he has noticed many clients talk about the stability of art.

The one drawback of course is that you must be willing to sell the piece to realize the gains.

Financial planners say it is harder to convince people to contribute to their RRSP's this year.

Many are spooked by what is happening in the markets but most professionals say it is still the best time to invest, even if you have to borrow money.

"It's something people feel more comfortable doing in the good times when the stock market has been doing really well. In reality the best time to do that is when the stock market hasn't been doing well for 6 months to a year because you're getting everything on sale," says Corey Johnson from Scotia McLeod.

Another alternative to RRSP's is the Tax Free Savings Account.

It was introduced by the federal government on January 1, 2009.

Anyone over 18 is allowed to contribute $5,000 a year to the account.

The interest earned is tax-free, even when it is withdrawn

With a report from CTV's Marni Kagan