Usually, experts will tell you that the best way to save for retirement is by putting money into a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another well-known retirement saving vehicle. And they're usually right. But you may not have access to a 401(k), and the contribution limits for IRAs are relatively low. Or those options may not appeal to you for other reasons.

That doesn't mean you can't save for retirement. Here are five other possibilities you might consider:

1. Brokerage accounts: Unlike when you sell a holding from inside a tax-deferred retirement plan, the sale of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds in a brokerage account may result in current taxes. But the maximum tax bite for assets held longer than one year is only 15% or 20% for investors in the top ordinary income tax bracket. That's much better than the taxes you'll rack up when you eventually withdraw money from your retirement plans. Those distributions will be taxed at rates as high as 39.6%.