Our Top 5
Tips for Investing in Shares
1) Only invest in what you understand - why would you do anything else?
2) Know why you are investing - so you can define what is a good return.
3) Don't put all your eggs in one basket - the golden rule of investing.
4) Don't try to time the markets - this is a fool's game.
5) Use tax efficient investments - to free yourself from income and capital gains tax.
Tips for successful investing
1) Buy low, sell high - more difficult than it sounds.
2) Invest in what you understand - a must for wealth preservation.
3) Keep it simple - for an easier life.
4) Know why you are investing - so you can define what is a good return.
5) Use tax efficient investments - always.
Tips to keep the tax man away
1) Use tax efficient investments - ISA, Pension, Premium Bonds etc
2) Make use of allowances - Capital Gains Tax allowance, gift allowances for IHT etc
3) Invest for your retirement - pensions are very tax efficient
4) Use your spouse - to split investments and share the income and gains
5) Give to charity - it's very tax efficient
Things to know before you buy to let
1) It's a long term investment - buy because you want to, not for the money
2) You'll need a special mortgage - must be a buy to let mortgage
3) Your legal requirements as a landlord - click here
4) What, where, whom and how? click here
5) You'll need to tell HMRC - complete a self assessment to declare your property income
Things to do during your lunch break
1) Change utility provider - it's easy on uSwitch
2) Start an ISA - in minutes with our discount funds store
3) Get a better credit card - consider your options with moneysupermarket
4) Start a pension - make saving for retirement easy with Transact
5) Get a better current account - compare them with money.co.uk
Things to tell your parents
1) They should make a will - how else do you know where your money is going?
2) They should pay for lunch - gifts out of normal expenditure are exempt from inheritance tax.
3) They should consider the costs of long term care - this is very expensive.
4) They should consider giving you money - a £3,000 gift annually is exempt from inheritance tax.
5) They should treat themselves - they can't take it with them.
Things to know before you get advice
1) Some advisers just want to sell you something - these are usually commission-based.
2) Some advisers haven't passed all the exams - hire a Certified or Chartered Financial Planner.
3) Some advisers can't recommend the best products - HINT: they work for banks.
4) The good guys are out there - these are usually fee based 'Financial Planners'.
5) You will pay for the advice - ask if your adviser charges a fee or commission, and how much.
Things to do before you invest
1) Save a cash reserve - and don't touch it.
2) Put aside some short term money - for expected and unexpected expenditures.
3) Know why you are investing - so you know what return you want or need to achieve.
4) Understand your risk profile - to save yourself some stress in the long run.
5) Find a company that will make it easy - OK this is a shameless plug for our online service.
Things to do before you die
1) Make a will - you should know where your money is going
2) Take out life assurance - if you have people that are financially dependent on you
3) Plan to avoid inheritance tax - nobody likes paying tax
4) Keep a little extra tucked away - you may live longer than you expect to
5) Do the things you've always wanted to - what are you waiting for?
Tips for stress-free investing
1) Save a cash reserve and some short term money first - so you have something to fall back on
2) Consider index trackers - to avoid worrying about your fund manager having a rough patch
3) Spread it around - to avoid watching sectors you haven't invested in going up
4) Understand your risk profile - how much risk are you happy to take?
5) See it as a long term investment - values will go up and down in the short term
Investing Mistakes
1) Buying high, selling low - your emotions will make you do this.
2) Being greedy - it's easily done.
3) Not knowing why you are investing - how would you define a successful return?
4) Putting all your eggs in one basket - this should really be number one.
5) Investing in something you can't explain - why would you do that?
Financial Planning Tips
1) Spend less than you earn - this will help you save.
2) Save for no reason - one day you will need it.
3) Invest now for your retirement - or stack shelves into your 80's.
4) Use protection - get life cover and income protection.
5) Keep it simple - for an easy life.
Tips for Selling a House
1) Sell the lifestyle not the house - if it's a four bed detached call it a family home.
2) Keep it clean - it makes the house look bigger
3) Do some gardening - a well maintained garden will add to the value.
4) De-personalise your house - it makes it easier for buyers to view it as their own.
5) Use neutral colours - magnolia shouldn't offend anyone.
Reasons to Avoid your Bank's Financial Adviser
1) They haven't passed all the exams - that's just worrying.
2) They can't recommend the best products - they can only recommend what their bank offers.
3) They have to sell you something - they don't get paid for just offering good advice.
4) They have product targets to hit - worth remembering next time you're offered a random product.
5) You may walk away not knowing how much you just paid - always check commission amounts.
Routes to Early Retirement
1) Invest early - it will help you retire sooner.
2) Set goals - when to retire, what to do in retirement.
3) Don't set a retirement age - set a retirement income you want.
4) Don't put all your eggs in one basket - plan to use different income sources e.g. ISA, Pension.
5) Use tax efficient investments e.g. ISA, Pension - who likes paying tax?
Tips for Choosing Where to Invest
1) Consider different countries - spread it around.
2) Consider different sectors - spread it around.
3) Consider small and large companies - spread it around.
4) Consider different types of assets - spread it around.
5) Consider specialist sectors - spread it around.
