With $250k you've got some pretty good options to look at.
Before laying it out for ya... AVOID THE STOCK MARKET. Please, do yourself a favor and don't waste it on stocks like the other idiots. The stock market is a game that you are not equipped to play and win on. You may win one or two plays here and there, but overall, longterm, you could take that same cash and control its destiny to the top if you're up for it. With the market, you're just putting it in, and pressing play. Its foolish. -- However, if you are a well connected pro trader, then that's a different story. If you're a congressman or senator, then you should def play, as I'm sure you have more info than all of us anyway. If you are Goldman Sachs or HSBC then you are the market and the monies, so you're just trolling me.