I recently came into $5 million dollars via a trust fund. What is the best way to invest this amount of money?

Congratulations!

The best way to invest money depends on many things, e.g., your age, married/single, kids, your job, etc., etc.

Having $5 million, you need and can afford professional advice. But not everybody who calls him/herself a professional advisor knows what they are talking about.

Check out <>http://biz.yahoo.com/edu/bi/ir_bi13.ir.h... to get some idea on how to choose a financial advisor. If you have friends who have money ask them who their advisor is. And don't get taken by quick get-rich schemes.

blow the lot on a round the world trip because investing it only lets the government get their grubby hands on some of it

Hire a financial advisor. With that much money, you should a very diversified porfolio -- some in stocks, some in bonds, some in real estate, etc.

Send the money to me - I will invest it for you.

Seriously - you now have a responsiblity to learn how and what to invest in. Subscribe to many investment newsletters, have a bucket of salt - beware the hype. Caveat empor - let the buyer beware!

Don't be in a rush to invest - the credit crisis, stock markets crashing..

Take $1million. Pay off all your debts first, then buy the house, cars, go on holiday - enjoy it. Don't ever be in debt again.

Then take the rest, and split in into 4 interest bearing accounts at different financial institutions, or even countries - spread your risk - let's say you get 5%pa - $200,000, after tax - live below your income. FREEDOM.

If you do not spend all the 200,000, then your capital will keep growing, and your income next year will be more!

I'm still looking for a private lender for a loan under $20,000.00. Can repay and will give verification and sign legal agreement.

Let me borrow $1,000 and by next year I will give you $2,000. Seriously.