Selling everything- cashing out. What do I do with $2M???? (community, social security)

[wornout]

I've been busy running my business for 18 years, and I've done well investing in real estate. I'm ready to cash out and walk to my mailbox for my direct deposit receipt.
Where do I invest? Any ideas?

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by wornout

I've been busy running my business for 18 years, and I've done well investing in real estate. I'm ready to cash out and walk to my mailbox for my direct deposit receipt.
Where do I invest? Any ideas?

2 million and you dont know what to do with it? Buddy you dont need any help at all. None. I smell a brag.

[normie]

Originally Posted by wornout

I've been busy running my business for 18 years, and I've done well investing in real estate. I'm ready to cash out and walk to my mailbox for my direct deposit receipt.
Where do I invest? Any ideas?

Make a check for the whole amount to normie, c/o city-data. I'll take care of it for you.

[wornout]

Originally Posted by wornout

I've been busy running my business for 18 years, and I've done well investing in real estate. I'm ready to cash out and walk to my mailbox for my direct deposit receipt.
Where do I invest? Any ideas?

If you knew me, I might agree. I started my company when I was 24. Not much of a point of reference regarding "investment strategy".....The reality is that I don't watch Bloomberg or MSNBC. I have no idea what to do. I've thought about CD's, but think that is rather naive. I could roll my cash into commercial property with NNN leases, but that involves risk and dealing with tenants. I want no hassle. Did you ever see Good Fellas?
Pay me. I'm tired.
If you might have meaningfull ideas, Thanks in advance for your response.

[Buckhead_Broker]

Invest it in AAA rated bonds or very dull companies with a long track record of paying great dividends. The last thing you want to do is invest it in some cockamamie nvestment and then lose it! You'll want the income from it, but most important, you want to preserve your principle.

[HappyTexan]

Until you know what to do..spread it around in several banks in short term CD's. But only put $100K in each bank (FDIC limit). That gives you some time to learn about investments yet your money is earning some kind of interest while preserving principle.

[HDL]

I believe it's a MATCH made in Heaven :

Need WEALTHY Man or Woman to FUND my Singles Retirement Community!!!
Show me your Bank Statement and I'll show you my Business Plan !

Location (undetermined as yet) :
BUT imagine Roloffs Farm outside Portland, OR meets Piggy's Market In Capitola,CA for a general idea of what I hope to have !

Targeted Market :
Built specifically for Singles (male and female) Over 50 that want to interact, continue learning, teach their core competencies and continue giving back either pre-retirement or after retiring .

What I envision it looking like:

~ 1000 sq ft cottage homes with complete wraparound porches
Green Building - stress energy efficient
Community Center for Activities, Classes and Get Togethers
Fitness Center with an Indoor/Outdoor Pool
Walking Trails with a manmade lake for paddle boating
Doggie Park w/an Agility Course
Organic Community Garden

Cottage Businesses on the premises:
(if you know Piggy's Market in Capitola then you will understand what I mean)

Art Gallery; Music; Day Care; Doggie Day Care; Specialty Foods; Holistic Center; Cafe; etc.

Originally Posted by wornout

I've been busy running my business for 18 years, and I've done well investing in real estate. I'm ready to cash out and walk to my mailbox for my direct deposit receipt.
Where do I invest? Any ideas?

[Southlander]

Don't put all your money in one thing. A few CDs, laddered so one rolls out every few months. You can then buy a new CD (hopefully at a higher rate!), or you have ready cash.
A few mutual funds, a few bond funds. Make sure some investments are in tax-free funds, which would probably be municipal bonds.
Maybe a few stocks...and definitely those boring, sturdy investments that make everybody yawn but pay off year after year after year. If you don't have a good accountant, find one...they can give you ideas about things with tax advantages. And find a good stockbroker. You might want to make appointments at several places and sit down and talk to them - sort of an interview, with you intereviewing them. See what they'd suggest. Pick the one you like best.
Get some books and read up.
$2 million - good for you! Somebody called it bragging? That's a good, steady retirement nowadays, but not hugely outstanding. My parents, at dad's death, had about $1 million in cash and assets. Mom made more money than me, between social security and dividends. But then, she had her house and car paid for...her biggest expenses were prescription drugs and utilities.
By the time I can retire (10 or 12 years away), I figure I'll have to have at least $3 million to be like mom.

[StealthRabbit]

You can get a balanced group of investments including those mentioned above.

Look to Vanguard for low costs and decent returns, and protection of your capital.

You can subscribe to Bob Brinker's Marketimer (tho he doesn't time the market, in general)
He has three balanced portfolios that have performed well since 1988. ~ 1% beta (very low expenses) I would at least listen to his radio program for a few weeks (6 hrs on the weekends) + a good "recommended" reading list.

Basically your $2M should give you $100,000/yr without eroding your principle (current recommendations are 4-6% withdrawal / yr)

Congratulations

[Bideshi]

Buy long term T-bills and live frugally from the interest. Keep 10% in physical gold. Preserve your health.