If you are not a trader but a simple investor like me, I would highly recommend avoiding speculative currencies. Look at this insanity:
You can win or lose a lot; but this is not different than gambling. And you know what they say, you'll always eventually lose if you gamble.
I rather recommend investing in the long term; particularly to the coins that generate real value in the world. It'll take time for them to become independent from Bitcoin; but once they do, they'll be much less risky. So far, I like these coins:
Steem: Powered by its users, based on content value
JSEcoin: It allows browsing without ads thanks to browser mining (amazing idea!)
SiaCoin: Allows you to lend your extra storage space
BAT: Again, it's about utilising consumer attention without disturbing ads
What are your favorite altcoins in the long term? Write in the comments!