<prompt> Human: Ive already read two threads on here about what to do if you win the lottery, but I have more questions. I won a large sum a few months ago. I feel lucky and relieved, but really not that much different. I wasnt too worried about money to begin with, so Im not out of my mind happy or anything. Im 30 years old. No wife or kids. Only my brothers know about the money. One has suggested I post here for advice given my situation and said that it could help me think through my options. After I paid off all debts credit cards, car, student loans, etc., budget 8k for a vacation of a lifetime for me and my brother, and put 50k in an FDIC insured savings account for an emergency fund, another 50k in a tax-deferred IRA Im self-employed so apparently thats my yearly limit from what Ive read, Im left with about 750,000. Right now, its all sitting in a savings account at the bank earning essentially nothing because Im too scared to do anything else with it. My goal of the money: Im not planning to quit my day job self-employed and about 60k a year, my goal with the money is to invest it and let it grow. In 5 years when I settle down, Ill want to buy a house, and in 20 years Ill want to retire. So, basically house retirement. I know this may be weird and irrational, but I refuse to hire any financial advisor who will take a percentage of my wealth just to manage it. I view them as scam artists. My brother is telling me to put all of it all into a Vanguard mutual fund and forget about it. But the market is pretty close to an all time high and Im terrified of putting it all in just to watch the market crash. Isnt the age old adage buy low, sell high and if so why would I buy high on purpose? My plan right now is for it to just sit in the savings account until the stock market crashes, and then to put it all in perhaps vanguard mutual fund like my brother says, but the rational side of my brain is telling me that that is really stupid and the stock market may never drop and I may just miss out on years of gains. What are my other options? Are there other investments I should consider that can get me more than a lame 1 CD, but not be as volatile as the stock market? I just want to make a safe 3-5... Im not looking to get greedy and invest with a Madoff or anything. But Im so scared of losing all this life-changing money that could pay for a retirement one day. Am I completely nuts for not wanting to hire a financial advisor or put all of my money in the stock market when its essentially at an all time high? Are my worries rational and common? What are my best options?Sorry if this was rambling. Im willing to answer any questions anyone has. Location: San Diegop.s., I know the IRA is investing in the market, but its got special pre-tax money, so I feel differently about it.edit: please stop PMing me and asking for money or my secret for winning the lottery. Also, verification was sent to a mod who asked for it. Assistant: Go to a Certified Financial Planner thats fee only.Human: I dont know what that is. Thats different from a financial advisor?  <response>: A CFP that is fee only is definitely your best bet. They get paid on a per advice basis. They make recommendations and get paid for those recommendation, but they DO NOT collect any commission. It is in their best interest to grow their business by doing their best for their clients.Do some research on CFPs in your area. Dont be afraid to interview a few from different firms. Take it from there.Also know, just because they make a recommendation, doesnt mean you have to take it if you arent comfortable with it. Thats all they do is make recommendations.Theyll help you to better understand your dreams and goals so that they can understand them as well and they will do their best to help you achieve them. 