[charlesdm]

Why does it have to be risk free? Did you make your money not taking risks? Taking calculated (not stupid) risks helps you get decent returns above 5% quite easily.

Put half of it in a low fee index fund, and half in stocks you believe in. Those stocks are higher risk, but can have a much higher (or lower) return than the index, i.e. risk 20% of your capital for a potential 50% gain. You can add bonds to the mix if you want.

[barrkel]

Half in picked stocks is a very high risk strategy. I wouldn't recommend it.

[charlesdm]

And I would. Look, it all comes down to what you're comfortable with and how you've made your money. Some people are terrified of losing even a penny. Others don't care if a stock goes down 20%, if long term the business is solid / healthy and the price makes sense.

If you're looking for stock tips on the internet, then yes, half in picked stocks is quite risky. If you're willing to put in the work to do the research by plowing through SEC filings, reading annual reports, trying out the product the business is selling, in sectors you know and understand (i.e. tech for us) and you have common sense, then it's quite reasonable. You won't always get it right, but you can at least do better than others who haven't done their homework. That also means saying no to 90% of the stocks you could invest in.