What should I do with $300k?

[Anonymous]

I have $170k in my checking account and another $150k in various other accounts but able to get to it very easily (basically cash). Only debt is mortgage- $420k. What should i do? DH and I are in our late 30's. We do have a two year old and have not set up a college account for him yet. I know little about stocks, mutual funds, etc. I am currently researching different options but am finding it difficult to understand everything. DH does not want to hire anyone to help. He says we are smart and should be able to do this ourselves and it is stupid to pay someone to tell us what they think we should do. I do not have a finance or law background and my family was not well off so I did not grow up learning about this kind of stuff. So now I'm on DCUM. I obviously know we need to invest it as we're getting very little interest having 170k sit in the checking account. But what percentage of my cash goes where and into what? I am willing to be moderately risky. Any help, please? We would like to retire at some point.

[Anonymous]

Do you have any retirement savings-IRAs, 401Ks,etc?

[Anonymous]

Are you serious?

You're lucky no one has hacked your checking acct.

[Anonymous]

I know this is going to come off snarky but ..... but your smart husband should realize that there are times when you are in over your head.
You say "I am finding it difficult to understand everything"
If you recognize that - go find someone who can help you. And why should not you pay that person for their expertise?


.... another option - consolidate the money at 1 banking institution (Vanguard) and pay $200 for a financial plan.

[Anonymous]

Never has an DCUM question been so easily answered.

The answer, OP, is to give it to me. Obviously.

[Anonymous]

Don't take advice from a random Internet forum on what to do with your savings. Find someone wealthy and smart and ask them who they use to manage their investments. set up an appointment with the person they recommend.

[Anonymous]

Have you maxed out all possible tax deferred options? Start there with retirement, then 529s. Put a chunk in a couple of mutual funds, although be aware of possible annual tax consequences. Keep a cash reserve equal to 3-6 months of expenses.

[Anonymous]

Call vanguard-- for that kind of cash they will give you a free consultation with a certified financial planner, and they're a very good cheap company.

[Anonymous]

Troll.

[Anonymous]

I'm a big believer in the Dave Ramsey baby steps. Just google them and his website will walk you through them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't take advice from a random Internet forum on what to do with your savings. Find someone wealthy and smart and ask them who they use to manage their investments. set up an appointment with the person they recommend.

Totally agree with this advice. I am an engineer (good at figuring things out) with an MBA in Finance and if I had your resources, I would still follow this advice. Obtain guidance from someone who specializes in this area. You will never be able to replicate the experience that a good financial advisor has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call vanguard-- for that kind of cash they will give you a free consultation with a certified financial planner, and they're a very good cheap company.

Yes, this. They are a great company and will not steer you wrong.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you. I have been looking at Vanguard after reading your suggestions and it seems great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Troll.

+1

[Anonymous]

We are invested with Vanguard--lots of great index funds.