The appeal of gold crosses cultures. It's a good safeguard against inflation, no matter what happens in the economy. That's only one of 10 key reasons why gold is a hot investment.

Below, we'll list three ways in which you can invest in gold now without having to pay $3,000 or more. Get invested in gold before the price rises again here.

Gold-based savings plans or gold receipts: Some banks and financial institutions offer gold-based savings plans or gold certificates, which allow you to invest in gold without physically holding it.