If you weren’t already aware there’s a 45 minute audio recording of the Flavor Aid event. It’s easy to find online. It’s on YouTube and in Apple Music. The internet is weird.

none of my coworkers even suspects I majored in history or that I’m capable of playing any instrument, it’s something I don’t talk about with any of them because I don’t believe they would understand and they’d start with intrusive questions I hate (if you are so talented like you claim and have a major in history, why are you wasting your time as a firefighter?

I dunno, man, if a firefighter told me they were a history major and could play piano really well I’d just think they have some cool hobbies and of course they didn’t land a job with that degree. I don’t think anyone believes that a history degree is a reliable path to a career in a history-related job. Especially in this economy.

The whole part where it’s about whether or not you’re talented or misrepresenting yourself to them feels more like something you’re hearing inside your own head, not from the people in your life. I don’t think you’re accurately predicting how your coworkers would react to learning that you love history and play piano. I think that just makes you a cooler person to them. Really and honestly.

I could be way off base here, and if I am, sorry. What you said here reminds me of times in my life where I’ve felt ways that rhyme with your words. I’m sure you’ll sort this out and find fulfilling activities that excite you.

All I’m saying is you need to be braced for it. I see all the graphs upthread talking about the gains. Those graphs are accurate, but don’t tell the complete story.

You need to at least contemplate how you’ll feel in the lizard part of your brain at 2am and how long six years can feel while you’re in them.

OP sounds like an inexperienced investor who plausibly needs not just a reminder but to hear those words plainly. That’s all.

It’s still the best advice.

It’s sounds like you’re going through some shit right now, man. Hope it gets better for you.

Having the whole retirement situation handled at age 20 has the potential to completely change someone’s life.

Every large decision you’ll make in your life will be influenced by money. Your risk tolerance is influenced by money.

At 20 year old with a 150k safety net can make different choices than the same 20 year old without those savings.

Having confidence that their retirement is funded can completely alter the trajectory of someone’s life because they took more risks or chose a career on passion and not for more income.

The advice to invest in broad index funds is great, but there is risk. S&P500 got halved in the 2008 crisis.

The market is a long-term place to put money. You’ve got to be braced for the down years and not just starry eyed about the up years. The next crash could be Monday. Or not. Nobody really knows.

20 years from now, future you will be extremely grateful to today you for every dollar you invest in a broad index fund in the market. There’s never been a 20 year period in the market where that hasn’t been true. But that 20 years is a fucking bumpy ride. Treat your money in the market like it’s in the overhead bin and you’re in the window seat of a row full of grumpy strangers.

You’re clearly indecisive about your future plans. I think flexibility to adapt to any big life decisions, which seem looming is a key goal here.

Dave Chapelle explained it like this: “Money is the fuel for choices.” This windfall is your fuel. We can’t help you make the choices, but the money means you can make those choices now with little concern for cost or risk.

My advice:

At most invest half the money. Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard. Pick based on the color of their logos. They’re interchangeable for you.

Put the rest into some high yield savings account that will at least keep you treading water against inflation a little bit while you make choices.

Also from reading your other post, there’s a whole giant world of exciting and captivating activities that exists outside of the university system. Kinda like clocks in casinos, sometimes that can be hard to see from inside the school world.

I’ve got a playlist that’s just the music from Forza 2. I renamed it to “speeding ticket” when it landed me one.

Still listen to it while driving sometimes, tempting the fates.