What would be the best thing to do with the proceeds from the sale of the house?

Buy land or house?

There are a lot of factors. I would talk to a professional about it. Two prime questions are:
—Tax implications – are there options that let you keep more of the money?
—What is your risk tolerance? Are you set for retirement and this could be gravy to invest, or is it more important to keep it safe?

End-of-life is at the forefront of my thoughts lately with my mom, so I would recommend looking into long term care insurance. I believe it’s very expensive these days, but we are lucky my parents bought into it decades ago. It is paying more than half of Mom’s expenses in assisted living and hospice.

As @Call_Me_Jay recommends, I would suggest talking to a financial planner. There might be one at your bank that you can consult for free. It is almost impossible to make much money from regular savings accounts or money market accounts at this point because the interest rates are so low. CDs are the same although also safe. And of course, investments that can potentially make you more money bring higher levels of risk. You may want to look into something like an indexed investment account or a bond fund but I don’t know enough about each to advise you.

I suspect you do not want to buy land or another house since you are selling one to get more liquid assets but do find out about the tax implications. And I know that long term care insurance would be very expensive for you to carry so I would not advise that at this point either.

Put into some kind of investment that requires both your signatures to access it.

I thought we were going to travel but apparently Rick changed his mind.
We’re just going to live in the 5th wheel until something opens up. Just playing by ear for now.
Yesterday 13 year old Jayden suggested we park in their yard, use their power, and pay rent. I offered $300 a month. He accepted.
We just need to tell his folks! ;D

It sounds like a fun setup, and fun for the kids to have grandma and grandpa right outside 24/7, @Dutchess_III.

First consult an attorney and make sure ALL your paperwork is done, then likely they’ll suggest a trust.

Invest maybe half of it, put the rest in an interest bearing account. Don’t touch. And consult professionals or a financial advisor, as other folks above, have suggested. Good luck and enjoy! PS, you can still afford to take a bad ass vacation!

Go to a financial planner (bank was good suggestion) make sure they have certificates and CFP would be the best.

I am for real slipping some bucks to my son. He’s given up his last 2 weekends to help my husband trace a leak in the upstairs bathroom, then replumb it, and is right now laying a new floor.
Man they know their stuff. If I had to pay labor I guess I’d just pass out. As it is I’m out only out $315.
I said something to my Realtor and she said “YOU GAVE HIM LIFE!!!”

@Dutchess_III You gave him life, now give him some cashola. If y’all had paid a contractor of would have cost you a mint. You even said….

That’s what I said I was going to do.
I think $1000 is fair. What do you guys think?

Sounds fair to me.

My sister-in-law would buy a small rental unit and rent it out at positive cash flow. There are probably some affordable units in your area. But I like Nomore’s suggestion of saving ½ and investing ½.