Interest rates are dire at the moment, you will be lucky to get 0.5% in a Bank apart from their Regular Saver which is 2.75%.
Premium Bonds do not pay any interest so you are relying on winning at regular intervals, Of course, there is always the chance of a big win.
I find I have been getting prizes equalling just over 1% pa this year so far.
Only you can decide.
It is also dependent on how much you're talking about. If you can buy £50,000 premium bonds you will probably earn much more than you would by putting it in a bank.
The interest rate on Premium Bonds is currently 1.4% tax free. Unfortunately this isn't paid to individuals but put into a pot and a draw made to decide who gets the money. This means that each month you stand a chance of getting an amount between £1,000,000 and nothing. It also means that you have zero chance of losing your money because of a bank going bust, although most banks have a guarantee that you will not lose more than about £85,000.
Premium Bonds are a complete waste of money for a normal investment.
£500 invested in 1956 when they started would today still be worth £500. I put £500 in Axa Technical Growth Fund in 2002 and today is worth £7700. Better look for a unit trust and put your money in that
foe returns - premium bonds - on 25 000 for example you are more likely to get a tax free return
BUT
you cant get your money back can you?
which kinds really is a long term investment
PP //you cant get your money back can you?//
If you are talking about Premium Bond, then of course you can.You can withdraw any amount you wish at any time.
I put £30K in Unit Trusts in the late 80s and lost half of it within a year. No thanks - unless you can afford the risk.
Most people I know with a large number of premium bonds win a small amount every month plus there's the chance of a biggie and you can always get your stake back.
With interest rates virtually nil I'd go for premium bonds.
If rates ever go up again you still have your "stake" money and can choose again. Meanwhile you stand a chance of winning every month.
I did quite well last year on a smallish amount. When an isa matured it's now in bonds.
If anyone can afford to loose the money then play other ways to make a little. Personally I know nothing about stocks and shares..
I invested £50,000 almost a year ago. My wife like wise. Every month I have won anything between £25 and £75 per month. My wife like wise. To date I have won a total of £825 and my wife £900. My wife has farmed out max sums to several building societies and the total interest is nothing like as much as our NS&I Prize wins.
Eventually,as time goes by I have found from previous experience since retirement in 1997 that the prizes become less frequent . I just withdraw and re-invest two months later and get fresh new numbers. Always appear to work for us.
My wife and I did likewise retro. For a while prizes then dried up. We have removed £30,000 for living expenses.
Prizes now obviously rare. I’ve heard that remove and reinvest works as you’ve found. I might try it.