<prompt> Human: Mother, 58, recently inherited her childhood home in a sought after location in California along with siblings and will be gaining a cool 250k. I have suggestions on how she can best manage that money into retirement but I am far from an expert. She claims shell be working into her early 70s but with arthritis in her hands in a blue collar field I want to help best her for an earlier retirement. Scenario:Single Mom best mother in all the landAnnual Salary: 35k at best.Credit: Climbing from Ch. 11 five years ago. Little assets.Vehicle: Paid off, but 11 yr old gas guzzler. Does not cummute far for workLiving: Rents a home at 40 months salary. Goal: Buy a house in 300-400k range with mortgage. My question: What more can she invest in? Stocks?Is real estate realistic large investment? Cab she feasibly retire at 65 with right choices?Thank you so much for considerations and time taken to enlighten me. My mother is the single best human being on this planet and has not had the best of luck financially -- this money is a blessing and I just want the best of outcomes for a strong, caring and independent soul. Best,Worried First Born  <response>: recently inherited her childhood home in a sought after location in California along with siblings and will be gaining a cool 250kHow is she receiving this money? Is it part of life insurance, or what is the vehicle this money is getting sent to her is it cash from probate, an IRA, 401k, etc? I ask, because there may be tax implications which makes that money a lot less. She claims shell be working into her early 70s but with arthritis in her hands in a blue collar field I want to help best her for an earlier retirement. Earlier retirement is her goal, then the following statement you made is out the door:Goal: Buy a house in 300-400k range with mortgage. If she is making 35k... at best? Then she definitely doesnt want to use all 250k for the house, and shes not going to be able to afford a 300k home without that money a 200k homes mortgage, with no downpayment will be 1300mo... which would be 15,600 a year not counting utilities and maintenance. What Id say she should do is find a much cheaper home, and then load up an IRA for her, and then just invest the rest into mutual funds. Cab she feasibly retire at 65 with right choices?No one can answer that since we dont know how much she has saved to date. Essentially, in her situation, her best bet is to work and live like she gained no money, invest it, and then around 63-64 reevaluate where she is. 