Ever consider mutual funds? They may work a little better if you're trying to grow you inheritance while also keeping it fairly safe.

Look into Funds and ETFs offered by Vanguard or Fidelity, both offer very low cost alternatives.

First thing you should do is figure out what your cash needs are with the Non-IRA money. If you can figure out how much money you're going to "need" within the next three to five years, keep that money out of the market. If you can't put the money in and leave it for at least that long, you're better off in cash or short term bond or treasury funds, preferably an index fund or ETF. On the IRA side, follow pretty much the same tact, if your "advisor" can give you what the required distributions will be over the next five years, keep that money in cash or equivalents too. Then invest the balance. Good luck.

Hey sorry for your loss, but i agree, you should go for a mutual fund, it is a safer option

Tokyo,
Sorry to hear about that.
I would not put your money in a mutal fund. 98% o mutal funds will lose your money especially with the down market we are in. Your broker will buy your stocks at the wrong time, you will lose money everytime the market tanks, and your broker will never tell you when to get out.
You can do a CD or IRA but dont expect much returns plus youll be charged a hefty fee for pulling out money early if you had to.

I can help you earn interest on that money with an average of 7% ROI every month. I'll be able to teach how to do this on your own as your money grows. Once you understand how to invest your money and limit your risks you should be able to pull 15% a month on average by yourself.

The best thing you should do is manager your own money. I can help you get started with this.

Tokyo,

I think the information you provided is inadequate for us to give you sound advice. I think most of the advice given so far are based off assumptions.

buy gold my friend

:Hijack:

I am in the same situation as TokyoPurple. Does anyone know the inheritance laws these days? I have heard there is no federal inheritance tax. Is that true? Everything I inherit will be tax free? How about state law? Wisconsin particularly.

I have heard the new federal inheritance law ends in 2011 and may revert to a large inheritance tax again. But is that at the beginning of 2011 or the end? If it is the beginning of 2011, I only have a couple months to get things situated.

yeah!! that will help u alot.

treasury bonds are the very least risky, but will probably not return very much money. I'd say mutual funds would be the best idea. my friend's father runs the wellington fund of vanguard, so i'd start there

I agree with some other posts, take a look at some low cost funds like Vanguard. Pick a asset allocation that you feel comfortable with and monitor it periodically.

Step 1- Pay off all consumer debt
Step 2- Save 6 months worth of living expenses in a cash account (emergency fund)
Step 3- I would look at some mutual funds
Do not buy gold! It is like at all time high now! Buy low and sell high. Even buying low, Money magazine says to not have precious metals occupy more than 1% of your portfolio.