The industry has made investing look so daunting and intimidating that many otherwise intelligent individuals avoid it entirely. Instead, they put their money in CD's, annuities, bonds, or mutual funds. Basically, you should not buy mutual funds. True, they're a better answer than working with a stockbroker. But they have real problems.
Most funds overcharge.
They create unnecessary tax liabilities. They are generally poorly managed. And it is extremely difficult to figure out which ones are best. About your only hope is past history, and this is far from an ideal method. Maybe, just maybe you should buy mutual funds, in particular, no-load index funds, but only while you are just setting out on your investment career.