CFP is NOT a degree.

:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

Before taking on-line advice, I would consult with an investment counselor, i.e. Cebert Wealth Management. or someone similar. Cebert has done wonders for us and I am sure others in the same business would do likewise.

Perhaps these videos will help. I like S&P 500 Index funds I am in FXAIX Fidelity S&P 500 index fund for my savings / rainy day account-- link below.

FXAIX - Fidelity (R) 500 Index Fund | Fidelity Investments

Videos below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkL5...t=WL&index=283

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsAl...t=WL&index=292

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYr1...t=WL&index=128

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdkS...t=WL&index=110

Investing
 

Consider ABBVIE and Verizon which have about a 5% dividend.

Have you considered collecting your Social Security income?

Retirement income
 

With expenses of 1800/mo. you'll need $21,600 per year from your $250K. That's a return of approx. 8.5%. Not impossible but it takes diversification with a good mix of dividend payers and growth and value stocks. If you do not have the time or interest following stocks and making changes as necessary then you need an active advisor. Find someone highly recommended and insist on a good mix of stocks to provide the yield you require. Remember your current 1800 a month in expenses will increase due to inflation so your investments need to keep up.

The only people that are guaranteed to make money if you use a financial advisor is the financial advisor. I get approached by many and when I ask them if they can guarantee they will make me more $$$ using them compared to how I invest, they can't guarantee that, so why would I pay $50k-$60k a year for somebody to do what I can do better?

The worst thing that can happen in retirement is to have the stock market drop significantly while you have to sell shares to live on. At 63, you don't have the time to recoup a major downturn if it lasts for a few years.

I use the bucket system where I have enough cash to live on for 2-3 years which should outlast a major downturn while I don't touch any of my holdings. But I also invest (when I had my money in the market) in low risk/high return/dividend funds/stocks/etfs (no bonds) that make me good money with dividends.

Read Read Read books on how to invest and watch some YouTube videos to get a wide range of ideas. IMO, the best series of books to read are on becoming a boglehead. Check this out:
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogl...ent_philosophy

Sorry, CFP is a designation, but is comparable to a CPA.

Put 50% of it into the ETF with the call letters (QQQ), which is all stocks in the Nasdaq. And 50% into the S and P, which is (SPY). But, I would NOT buy ANYTHING having to do with stocks or assets until after all of the current potentially WORLD-disruptive war is OVER. Because prices of EVERYTHING could fluctuate wildly. You might try to buy on LARGE, very large, market dips downward? But, timing the market is SUPER difficult!

You are seriously asking for financial advice on this forum? A fool and his money will soon be parted.

stupid saying. taxes are a by product of success. the biggest detriment to wealth is asset price decline. . Taxes might be 20% of gains, but losses can easily exceed that .

where do people come up with these one liners as sage investment advice?

not really

one is a finance certification, and finance is about looking forward wealth maximization

The other is backwards looking, and is about tax minimization. .

one about maximization, the other about minimization. . not really comparable

Many of the QQQ leaders are also in the SP500. . . there are segments of the $SPY which are more suitable for retirement portfolios, $SPYD is the one with dividends and showing the best relative strength. . .

Also would want to put a small amount in commodities, or metals, etc. as that sector has dwindling resources . . and then electric utilities as they are guaranteed a return by Federal statute, and there is a large push for clean energy, which the utilities provide.

You left out: "This advertisement brought to you by the good people at Parady Investments who would never try to decieve you"

Solid advice.