Is it better to invest a lump sum or contribute regularly?

Detailed Explanation

They answer different situations. If the money already exists, investing it in one go puts it to work sooner. If it arrives with each pay cycle, regular contributions are simply what is available. The stronger argument for contributing steadily is behavioural: it removes the timing decision, which is where most damage is done, and it turns investing into a process rather than a series of judgement calls. Either way the discipline matters more than the mechanism. Consistent contributions and patience have historically been easier to sustain than attempts to time entry points.