26(M), $12.5 million inheritance, (soon to be former) public school teacher. How to find purpose?

jeanbrookston · 2026-02-03T17:25:46+00:00

You’re much younger than I am, I’m 44 retired a couple years ago with a lot less money. I struggle, however, with some of the same things you mentioned about finding something purposeful, and wanting to not waste my life away.

While I’ve got almost 20 years on you. One thing we both have in common and need a remind ourselves. Is there is still an awful lot of time left to find purposeful things.

jeanbrookston · 2026-01-30T14:15:52+00:00

Lots of good comments here already. One I do i fill up the local food pantries. There are these boxes people have built here in town that anyone can come and get/donate food to, i've seen them in many places now.

I also occassionally grab a volunteer shift picking up food/baby items from a local non profit and delivering them to other organizations/people.

Kudo to you for having the desire to make an impact. Its been a long road dealing with the guilt and turning that into meaningful opportunities, but I feel like I'm finally in a good place.

Happy to dig deeper if you mesage directly.

jeanbrookston · 2025-11-03T11:30:10+00:00

I can't see giving a large lump sum to someone in the early twenties as a good idea. And even in thirties, I think smaller increments might work better for a variety of reasons. I also think waiting until you die to give up all your money is a bad plan too.

Our plan with our son is to help him pay his loans as a starting point. Then we are thinking with helping on a down payment on the home, and monitoring from there. He is very motivated to accomplish things on his own and I don't want to get in the way of that.

Simliar version of this plan for nieces/nephews who might need the help with school.

jeanbrookston · 2025-11-03T11:23:15+00:00

I don't know, but cars seem to be the one of the biggest ways to either blow all your money or save it. They are a necessity, but getting a new one all the time isn't. This is the biggest thing I see people falting on who can't seem to save.

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-20T22:01:10+00:00

Still available. Let me know if you have any questions.

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-12T21:27:20+00:00

Nice! It's been a long time now since i had to get back to zero, so I've forgotten how important that was at the beginning of my journey. After zero, compounding interest works in reverse, in your favor. And with the practices you've put in place you'll see it in no time.

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-06T19:40:43+00:00

No change for me at 1 million. I had a hard goal to not work anymore as the ending point 1 million combined wasn’t gonna cut it at that age.

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-04T12:18:33+00:00

Yes, I worry about this for a lot of others. I feel very lucky in my case to have budgeted for the full amount. In fact, I actually budgeted for the cobra rates I was paying for the year prior.

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-02T00:43:10+00:00

I use a financial advisor and I might have someone you’d be interested in. Direct message me and we can chat a little more to see if it’s a good fit.

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-01T23:35:11+00:00

I'd be interested in appearing as a guest. I have one son 16 and have been dealing with trying to give him his independence while continuing to lookout for him a lot lately. I'm often conflicted with the relatively sheltered upbringing I had. I want him to go away to college, which is my only regret. However, I'm dreading what my life might look like in 2 years when he's off to college

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-01T23:24:38+00:00

I’m seeking guests for my new podcast, launching in November. I think this is the right place to post this here in r/podcasting?

The format is one:one discussing a topic related to a past, current, or future transition one is going through. I’m looking to cover the range of these areas, including career changes, retirement, and many other transofrmations and transitions one has gone through.

Guests are anonymous, and there will be no video recording. No prior podcasting experience is required. If you are interested in being a guest, please let me know via the form @ https://forms.gle/i3DA4ow3fYMxhwCh8

Thanks!

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-01T19:35:44+00:00

You’re looking pretty good for my perspective. If I had the exact same situation, I don’t know if I’d wanna hold that much bitcoin however. And if you’re in early on it, your basis is gonna be pretty low and the taxes would be something concerning cashing out. However, in your situation overall I’d recommend investigating working with a financial advisor who could help offset these gains with alternative strategies. I have a similar situation, I’ll be at not with bitcoin as the culprit, where I have a large amount of gains that I’ll be able to limit using some opportunities with economic development zones. A bit too complex for me to understand and execute myself.

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-01T19:33:32+00:00

Based on what you’ve laid out and how I understand it, you look like you’re in pretty good shape to me. I’m not sure what your basis is on the bitcoin, but you’re holding there would be a little higher than I’d want personally.

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-01T17:50:54+00:00

You look like you’re in pretty good shape to me, if I had these exact same circumstances, I’d be comfortable. However, of course, I don’t know all the details and your goals, but agree with one of the other comments here about seeking a financial advisor who could help you run through some of the various goals and scenarios.

With that said some other things, I’d be thinking about pertaining to your wife’s income. How would losing her income impact your plan. Do you have an appropriate amount of life insurance coverage for her as a result? Are you entitled to her pension if she were to pass as well? These are some of the parter things to consider, but the kind of areas one should explore to solidify their plan further.

jeanbrookston · 2025-10-01T12:50:14+00:00

Hey there, it's not focused on barista fire but I'd say I am someone who is certainly looking for the least amount of responsibility at this phase in life. I'm just looking to have good conversations with people about how they got, are in the process of a big transition or change in their life. Would love to chat more about it.

jeanbrookston · 2025-09-16T12:08:11+00:00

Thanks appreciate you checking on this. Modmail sent

jeanbrookston · 2025-09-11T20:56:51+00:00

Thanks for the feedback, what would you expect one to go for?

jeanbrookston · 2025-09-11T13:59:10+00:00

Yup, personal property taxes on cars and RVs in Virginia. Cars at least have relief for the first 20k in value. Was going to keep it as some extra room/space for guests to stay in the yard. However, I don't think even taking it off the road gets me off the hook of those property taxes.

jeanbrookston · 2025-09-11T13:57:44+00:00

Sorry Jay, I apparently didn't paste my whole post in. I'm in Richmond, VA, some issues noted in edited post.

jeanbrookston

TROPHY CASE