I’m a 66-year-old retired homeowner in Fort Worth, sitting on $143,000 in cash. What should I do with my money?

Investment Strategy for Retirees - The importance of balancing riskier investments with safer options is emphasized, suggesting a rule of thumb where retirees subtract their age from 110 to determine the percentage of their portfolio to allocate to equities [2] - Retirees should avoid being overly conservative, as this could lead to running out of funds while still needing them, especially during market downturns [3] Market Conditions and Investment Risks - The volatility in the stock market is attributed to geopolitical factors, including tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which have affected global relations and market stability [4] - Retirees are advised to be cautious with their investments, particularly if they have a limited amount of cash, such as $143,000, which may not be sufficient for long-term living expenses [5] Professional Financial Advice - Engaging with a financial advisor can potentially increase net returns by about 3% over time, significantly impacting long-term growth [7] - Advisor.com offers a platform to connect retirees with licensed financial professionals for personalized investment guidance [8] Investment Options - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the S&P 500 are recommended as a common choice for equity investments, with the S&P 500 showing an annualized return of 12.5% over the past five years [10] - Diversification is crucial, as the S&P 500 is heavily weighted towards a few large tech companies, which could expose portfolios to sector-specific risks [12] Alternative Investment Vehicles - Bonds and Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are highlighted as low-risk investment options that can provide regular income streams for retirees [19][18] - Bonds, particularly Treasury bonds, are considered a safer investment due to the backing of the federal government, while CDs offer guaranteed interest rates [19] Cash Management - Retirees are advised to maintain a few months' worth of living expenses in a high-yield savings account to ensure liquidity while also considering other low-risk investment options [16]