Powerful observation from Vox.com regarding public perception versus reality when it comes to how to best invest your money:

Which of the following do you think is the best long-term investment?

1. Real Estate

2. Gold

3. Stocks/Mutual Funds

4. Savings Account

Don’t feel bad if you didn’t get the answer right. You’re in good company.

Recently, Gallup asked Americans what they thought their best investment bet was over the long run. 24 percent of Americans named stocks and mutual funds — but the same share named gold, and even more (30 percent) named real estate. The trend lines are actually positive, as in 2011 a baffling 34 percent of Americans named gold as their top pick:

There’s a right answer here — and it’s one that about two thirds of respondents who answered the question got wrong. If history is any guide, stocks are the best bet in the long run, and gold and real estate certainly are not.

Source: Vox.com