My mother took me into her confidence three days ago, after one of her investments tanked. It was a limited partnership in shipping containers, that works like a pyramid scheme. Sigh.

So. Here are the stats. I need you opinions please...

Mom's age-82
$ to invest-$33,000.
$ needed every month-$163. (the balance is covered by Social Security)

I've run the calculators here on the Fool and it seems that conservative vehicles like bonds, T-Bills, CDs and the like just won't last as long as she might (we've a long-lived family). Looks like she'll need *at least* 13.5% to make it to age 100. 15% would be better.

At the same time, she can't gamble on a portfolio of high-risk stocks or funds.

I've run Morningstar screens on classically Foolish funds (management 3 yrs. or more, no-load, expense ratio less than 1%, 5-yr. return greater than SP500, turnover less than 25%), but also know that past performance is no guarentee, etc.

Vanguard 500 Index and be done with it?

napavalleyfool