<prompt> Human: Hi Guys, Im looking for some life-tips given my unique situation. I posted before about my moms passing and the enormous gift she left my brother and I. Im more trying to figure out what I want to accomplish in life starting off with such enormous financial security. After expenses are paid and the trust is settled, I should end up with 500k paid to me in installments when I hit certain ages. I cant touch any of it until then. I have saved up about 12k from working the past few years which I intend to keep there as an emergency fund. My college tuition is completely paid for and I attend a reputable state school studying engineering. Starting salaries in my field routinely exceed 100k a year. My primary focus is to do well and achieve that level of success.My question is do I anticipate using that money in the future for retirement? Buying a house? I have to make some decisions about investments soon and will be speaking with a fee only advisor about my options, but my plans arent clear. Given Im 18, how would you go about decisions like this when you dont know what the future holds? I want to maximize my financial stability for the future.  <response>: Personally, I would plan my life as if I didnt that influx: make a budget, plan for retirement, start saving for a down-payment on a house...Once you have your list of priorities and that youve worked out the numbers for each of your goals, direct your moms gift towards these goals, either to increase them like an emergency fund, or a retirement account or to reach them faster like a down-payment. 