DEAR BRUCE: I'm 37 and a single mother of two. I will be receiving $225,000 in the near future. What should I do with the money? I thought about buying a home. Is that a wise investment now? Should I pay cash for a home? What about college tuition for my two kids, who are teenagers and will be going to college in five years? And what about retirement? Thanks. -- Reader, via e-mail

DEAR READER: You have raised more questions than are easily addressed. I'm assuming that the $225,000 has no tax liability attached to it. Some information that you did not send in your letter is, how much do you currently pay for rent? How long do you plan on staying in the area? Now is a good time to be buying a home, there are some great deals out there. Write down as many of the facts as you are able and then sit down with a competent certified financial planner. Tell him or her where you want to go and let them draw a road map. After looking at some of the alternatives that are offered, you will have a much better understanding of what options are available to you. One important word of caution, do not be stampeded or pushed into anything. You have time to make a decision. If you act in haste, you may very well repent in leisure. Good luck.

DEAR BRUCE: Is it wise to purchase bank shares in this uncertain time. I have an opportunity to buy some and I'm not sure if I should jump on it. -- Reader, via e-mail

DEAR READER: Bank shares are stocks in a business. Some businesses do well, and others do very poorly. And yes, right now, some banks have taken a hit. You apply the same criteria to the bank shares as you would to any other investment: the viability, the management of the company, how long they have been around, is this a new venture, what is their business plan, etc. The fact that it's a bank makes little difference.

DEAR BRUCE: I became quite ill and have a bill of more than $5,000 for medical expenses. I have a CD worth $50,000 and $320,000 in my 401(k), which I can access with no penalty. I could also borrow the equity in my home, but I prefer not to. -- Reader, via e-mail

DEAR READER: Whether you take the money out of a CD, remove it from your 401(k) or borrow it, your situation hasn't changed in the slightest. You didn't indicate your age, but since you can access your 401(k) without penalty, I'm assuming that you're over 59-1/2. In all likelihood, you will still have some taxes to pay on the money that you take out of the 401(k). If you will not need the money for some time I would leave it in the 401(k), since there is a decent opportunity for it to recover, and whatever it earns is in a tax-sheltered environment as contrasted with the little bit of money that you are receiving on the CD is taxable.