If $50K is basically your nestegg, then split it out ... don't bet the ranch on any one thing unless you can afford to lose the $50K ...
Consider something like this ...
Bank $25K in a CD... boring, and yes the return leaves something to be desired, but they money will be there.
Invest $10K to $15K in stocks / mutual fund, etc.
* stocks, including mutual funds, are very manipulated far more than even I ever thought possible - I've played the markets - made some, lost some ... my *non*-stock investments on the other-hand consistantly gone up and earned good returns. In a nutshell, while it may be tempting to put all of it in stocks, don't *unless* you are *prepared* to lose a significant amount of your money.
Take the remaining $10K to $15K and use it to start an on-line business, etc ... basically think of this remaining money as play money and try out some things; money you can afford to lose.
Hope this helps
Ron