Help, I just recieved a 6 figure settlement....what should I do?

I see that the market has been down significantly the last few weeks is this an even better time to enter the market?

Again, thanks in advance.

Definitely not the market.

Maybe real estate, if you have experience and know what you're doing.

Otherwise just save, save, save, save, and don't invest it anywhere.

If you're willing to wait more than 4-5 years I'd say the market is a good option. While we're in a bottom is the best time to invest, but you need to have your money in there for long enough to ensure that we'll have left the bottom by the time you pull it out.

If you'll need it in 1-3 years put it in a CD.

the opposite of whatever flagpole willy says

Short term CDs that are FDIC insured.

Read up on investing - read Bogle or Swenson or Burton Malkiel or a decent textbook at a college - then when you feel a bit more like you know what you are doing and not asking how to invest on a runnig message board - set up an asset allocation based upon your individual risk tolerance and the time horizon you will invest the money.

Personally, I would keep the money in short term CDs and using that extra cash for living expenses and then max out my tax advantaged savings by maxing out my 401(k) contributions each year and fully funding my Roth each year.

what should you do? ask legal experts, not an unaccountable (though awesome) running forum...

I'd cash the $$$ and put it in a safe deposit box, or install a high end wall or floor safe in your house and put it in there. I wouldn't trust any bank or financial instution for a long long time.

I am an expert on this topic. My advice is to get while the gettin' is good. Good coke and fast cars. The world is ending September 22nd, 2009, by a flurry of NKorean nukes, followed by Russian, followed by American. You heard it hear first.

As long as the money is in account that is FDIC insured, the money is safe and your money will grow safely to around the inflation rate so you can keep the purchasing power consistent.

People like the above poster do not know what they are talking about and need to remove the tin foil from their head.

You seem knowledgeable about what you want.

If you are interested in Commodities and Foreign Indexes, try the Commodity and Foreign Fund ETF's. There are many that are specific to a certain regions and countries, a commodity or basket of commodities. You can be broad or you can be specific. Its up to you.

The market place is cheap, and has been for this year and its a good time to get in if you are looking long term. If you are thinking only a couple of years you probably should put a good percentage in Money Market Funds with a variable interest rate as inflation picks up. You can put the rest into a mutual fund or open fund, whatever your investment objective is. These funds tend to be broad and will give you a modest return as the market comes around, now is a great time to get in long term.

In this market, I suggest that you do not speculate with your capital, but if you choose to do so, there are plenty of undervalued stocks to pick. Only put a small portion of your portfolio into any individual stock. If you are thinking of buying Goldman Sachs for instance, pretty much the only survivor in this economy so far, go ahead, you'll have great company with many members of government and Warren Buffet. If you want stock in any Health Care provider go for it as well. Look for dividend return and growth. Remember its speculative, but these are large institutions and you will have good company regardless.

You also may want to look at long term and short term bonds, interest rates will have to come up sooner or later once the recovery begins. Again if you want to take this route do your own research and consult a financial professional.

spread it out and buy CDs from many large CUs in different states. buy some CDs from stable banks as well. wait a fw years to and then think about gambling with other products. it's too risky now. the US GDP figures are inflated by 500% and the financial community bases it's business on this hype.

Please give the money to me. I might save it or maybe spend it all on hookers. I haven't decided yet.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Buy a Lotus Elise

Whomever is settling with you will probably willing to structure it as an annuity, with interest imputed into the payments. You will have significant tax savings doing it this way. If it is a lump sum payment, your settlement will be taxed as regular income, at a higher rate than you are used to (i.e. you were making 60 and you got a 100k settlement, now you are taxed as if you earned 160k).

If it is structured as an annuity, you would receive payments over, say, 10 years. Interest will be imputed into the amounts (so the aggregate payment will be significantly more than 100k because the payor is able to hold on to the money he owes you and earn interest on it), and you will not be taxed on this interest. If you do a CD, you will be taxed. This very common, google "structured settlement."

Be more careful with your coffee.

Don't be a pussy and enjoy life.

Buy nice cars, big house, daily hookers, wife from russia, and a jet and a big boat.

why look at long term bonds right now?

That is just silly talk with the rates they are paying.

TIPS inside a tax advantaged account would be much better alternative than long term bonds. The expected inflation rate long term bonds are paying are unrealistically small. And I am not one of the those hyper concerned people about inflation.

Short term bonds and CDs are the way until one has an overall plan.

Most legit advisors will recommend a combination/mix of:

Either single issue or fund of TIPs

Either single issue or fund of highly rated bonds such as a GNMA fund

And no load and low annual cost funds of:

S&P index

REITs

Emerging Markets

Foreign Developed Market

maybe some small portion of commodities.

Liar

Buy one share of BRK.A.