2. Keep the $15,000 while doing other work that will yield the remaining money over a long period.
If I just choose number 2. Just leave our investment there and take him back when the time comes as you said. At least this is wiser in investing and we can relax and enjoy life and the available funds are sufficient to recharge our bodies which feel tired due to full activity.
Are we going to dedicate our time to making money for the rest of our lives?
If you are afraid to take risks of investing that money, keeping $15,000 will be a wise decision. But if you just keep it, it means you don't invest that money. If you want to invest that money, you must choose the option of number 1. Both have the advantage and disadvantage, it depends on us to choose which option that is suitable with our condition.