mid 40s, 1099 contractor, zero investments or retirement and I am completely lost. Help.

I have so many different people telling me what I should do- I have a brother with a whole
Life insurance policy that is pushing me that way, another family member who is telling me to do crypto. I feel like I need someone to hold my hand so I was thinking a financial
Advisor like as Edward Jones - but reading up on here I see the fees are high.

I have zero and I mean ZERO knowledge of what I should be doing. The lingo and the abbreviations are like Klingon to me.

I do have some old 403b accounts from previous employers I was told I should move over into a Roth IRA - but without going to a financial advisor not sure how I would do that on my own. Was also told to open up a HYSA for day to day savings.

I would like to retire within 18 years (age 65)- so in the complete most BABY terms - can anyone suggest what I should do? I have about 300$ a month I can spare for now.

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