Looking for some realistic advice

I'll keep it simple, yes, invest it

Thanks. any advice on particulars I might start looking at?

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OT- Covington's my hometown. Did you grow up there, or just live there now?

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Born and raised there. Went to St. Paul's. Teach there right now.

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I'd just say don't put ALL of it in something. You never know when you might need to take some out, in which case it might definitely be worse "than it just sitting there."

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That's more along of what I was thinking. I don't want it to be an all or nothing thing, I'm not needing/wanting to get rich quick.

Others on this board have heard me beat this drum many times already and are probably tired of it, but I suggest you establish a Roth IRA and contribute as much as possible to it, right up to the annual limit if you can.

The Roth is not tax deductible like a traditional IRA, but you can withdraw your contributions (not your earnings) at any time without penalty if you need it. Meanwhile, any earnings you get are tax free. So this is slightly better than a regular checking/savings account.

Whatever account type you choose, you also have to choose what financial institution to use. I personally have used Schwab for 20 years and love them. There are other competitors that are perfectly good but I have no experience with them.

Finally, once you have the money in a particular kind of account (Roth, savings, checking, etc.) at a specific financial institution (Schwab, Fidelity, Bank of America, Bank of Bunkie), then you have to decide what to invest in.

Bear in mind that "the market" is extremely tough to beat even for those who try professionally for a living. You can do far worse than invest in a stock index fund, I do this myself. By doing that you are investing in a stock index, like the Dow Jones or S&P. The problem with most mutual funds is that they routinely don't do any better once fees are deducted.

And finally, study while you pile up savings. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, it's early in the game for you. Better to learn now than when you're 65.

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The Roth is not tax deductible like a traditional IRA, but you can withdraw your contributions (not your earnings) at any time without penalty if you need it. Meanwhile, any earnings you get are tax free. So this is slightly better than a regular checking/savings account.

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Do you know if this is on a per year basis, or lifetime total?

Ex. Over five years one contributes $20,000; are you allowed to take all that out in the 6th year and not pay any taxes on it, and just leave the growth in the account? (note: I don't see how this would ever really be beneficial, but in case of emergency or something.)

You can take out the principal in a Roth IRA without being taxed. The interest you've accumulated over time is what is subject to tax if you take it out before retirement.

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SpyBoy

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Got a name of a small financial company in Mandeville if you're interested in working with a professional. I'm going through this now.

I have used them for nearly 10 years and couldn't be happier. My wife and I have our Roths, rollover IRA's, and most of our taxable investment accounts with them. It's great having everything in one place with the ability to move it between accounts and back to checking as needed. And with the automatic withdrawals from checking set up, our investments are just another monthly "bill", so we never miss the money.

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Not trying to be rude because I don't know your circumstances (or that of your parents), but have you considered taking some of your money and moving out of your parents' house?

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that wouldn't be financially wise.

Another recommendation for Vanguard here. I don't know much about money matters, but they make it easy and are reasonbly well priced. Pick one of their retirement funds and see how it does.