Investing

[~Wingnut~]

Hi! A life assurance of mine has just matured and I am looking to reinvest some of it.
What would people recommend would be the best place to put it? I'm quite happy that it can't be touched until it matures but don't want to have to wait 18 years for it like I have with this one. I am also happy to pay in so much a month too.
I'm just totally stuck with what the best thing to do is for the best return.
Thank you for any advice :)

[Dogsbody2]

Do you understand the trade off between risk and investment return?

Or that giving investment advice is regulated? - and Answerbank isn't regulated.

Independent advisor?

[hc4361]

Being paid to give investment advice is regulated. It is quite legal for ABers to give their opinions and provide links where appropriate.

[ubasses]

There is the option of putting it in a fixed term bond. Capital and returns guaranteed. However if interest rates start going up during the period you could lose out long term.
A visit to your Bank and asking to see an adviser would be a starting point for you. They will have both tied advisers and an IFA, it will depend on the amount you have to invest which one you would see.
Your attitude to risk would be assessed and different types of investment explained clearly, and you have the chance to ask questions. The advantage of your Bank is that you will not be charged for the appointment.

[woofgang]

My money is in M and G, they have a good website with loads of plain english on it and they are very clear about risk stuff. I have also found their staff helpful and happy to repeat stuff several times. I am not advising or suggesting what to do but it might be a good place to start.

[alavahalf]

Do your own research and dont rush into anything ... although if you are thinking of a tax wrapper, you only have a few days left to get some cash into an ISA (up to this years allowance). If you have money in an ISA you can then move it around into another investment once you have done some research at a later date.
Everone will have their own ideas when it comes to investment, but only you will know what level of risk you are willing to accept. The greater the risk .. the greater the reward .. or the greàter the loss. Putting money in a banks savings account is not investing, but buying shares within the tax wrapper of an ISA and keeping buying monthly through a saving scheme through good and bad times would prove a hard one to beat. As I said it's a risk reward thing and no one can advise you until you have sorted out what level of risk you are willing to accept along with over what period you are willing to invest.

Hargreaves Lansdown is my choice as their platform allows me total control over everything I need to do. Have a look at their website ... plenty advice on saving, investing and especially on risk and reward.
Remember do your own research, as I have found that even some IFA's are to be watched !

[bookbinder]

You might like to put your money into an income bond. An income bond pays you a regular amount of money, that is taken from the interest that your money earns. The income is - or used to be - tax free, but you have to get such a bond from a financial adviser.