If I don麓t have money to contribute to a mutual fund, what is the best choice for a lump-sum investment?

I would go with a Roth IRA. You have to have 2000 minimum to start it up, but as a LONG term investment, its a good idea.

If you want to use it for college or a house purchase, there is also no penalties on your account, either. When you turn 54, you can pull the money out, completely or just at your whimsy, and there are no penalties for that one.

The bigger the lump sum, the longer the term should be. Roth IRAs are low tax, higer return, long term investments- an excellent investment for any large sum of money. Its a good way to keep you from spending/ frittering away your nest egg.

If you plan on using a smaller portion of the money, just ask your bank to cash out a portion of the check when you apply for the IRA, OR-

You can get a Certificate of Deposit, which has varied terms- from 6 months to 10 years, I think. These are renewable, but the percentage of return varies according to the term.

Savings Bonds are also Good. They are 7 year investments. You buy a savings bond for, say 10 bucks, and you get a certificate with $20 written on it. 7 years later, your 10 bucks doubles in value to 20. You can still cash savings bonds prior to the 7th year, but you will only get what was originally paid on it, if you do.
E.G.- If you pay $50 and get a $100 savings bond, you will get $50 back, if you cash it earlier than the maturity date. This may have changed, though, and you might get a certain amount more back. Check the site, please.
You can get high dollar savings bonds, also. These, I believe, are tax exempt, also.
I suggest savings bonds to parents, for purposes of future college funds, and general expenses, also.
This is all off the top of my head, so check the sites to verify, please.

I wish you luck in your financial future!

If you're talking under $10,000, you're better off with a bank CD or money market.

Sales commissioins on stocks will eat too big a percentage for you to come out ahead.

If you do not have enough money to contribute to a mutual fund, where investments can be as little os $250 or $500, then you cannot possibly have sufficient funds to make ANY kind of investment, other than perhaps a bank Certificate of Deposit.

I've been advised by reliable sources to put money in CD's, if nothing else. My bank offers $500.00 or $1,000.00 CD's with 5 or 6 %.
Not having been very wise with saving or investing thus far, I'm going to try this route.

I'm suggesting you to build your income from internet business, use the profit from interner business to invest in your mutual fund. Some of my friends have been doing it quite successfully now!
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Gold coins, like the 1 oz Eagle or the new 1 oz Buffalo. Also silver market is great investment right now. 100 oz silver bars are your best bet.

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