A collective investment scheme is a way of investing money with others to participate in a wider range of investments than feasible for most individual investors, and to share the costs and benefits of doing so.
Terminology varies with country but collective investment schemes are often referred to as mutual funds, investment funds, managed funds, or simply funds (note: mutual fund has a specific meaning in the US). Around the world large markets have developed around collective investment and these account for a substantial portion of all trading on major stock …

After knowing what is investment, now lets see what instruments where people are usually invest to.
Real Estate
This includes residential or commercial properties and its involves a long-term commitment of funds and gains that are generated through rental or lease income as well as capital appreciation. In instance, residential give least risk than commercial properties.
Cash investments
Savings is considered as an investment also certificates of deposit (CDs) and treasury bills. It gives a small return rate and are risky considered with period of inflation. People shall at least have one of …