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Investing for the long haul

Parents should be aware that recent government figures reveal a rapid aging in the UK’s population. As each one of us reaches another birthday, there are fewer and fewer young people coming in to replace us. This makes educating the next generation even more important, as they will need to create more wealth to support their parents’ generation. But parents can also make increased provision for themselves.

A fall in Savings?

According to the Investment Managers’ Association, the amount of money being invested in Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) during the first half of this year (after allowing for encashments) has fallen by 16.8%. The fall for June was 43%. Does this mean that ISAs are losing their popularity?

Enjoy higher interest rates

July brought with it the fifth interest rate rise since August 2006. While this might sound alarm bells for borrowers, it has quite the opposite effect on savers. And, perversely, some people with offset mortgages.

New investment freedoms

Investors gain access to unquoted shares
Growing numbers of self-invested personal pension (SIPP) providers have opened their books to unquoted shares, giving investors access to a fringe asset many consider too risky to hold in a retirement fund.

Hedges Funds

New proposals would give private investors wider access
Hedge funds, traditionally known for their secrecy and complexity could be set to become more widely accessible to private investors under proposals announced recently by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Why invest?

Sometimes it is a good idea to take a step back and ask ourselves fundamental questions.
For example, why do we invest, rather than spending all our money immediately? And given that we will invest for the future, what strategies should be adopted?

Falling Market Investment

The sudden fall affecting so many stock markets
during late February were seen by many people as being a threat to the ISA season – after all, why would people want to invest on a falling market?

Forgotten funds add up!

If you have moved house or have failed to keep track of Information on your financial dealings, you could be one of the thousands of people who have money languishing in forgotten accounts.

Investment trust savings schemes

Recent stock market corrections have left many investors thinking
about their future strategies, but, you make this volatility work for you with regular payments into a unit or investment trust savings scheme.

Older Borrowers

We’re all living longer and many of us will have to work extra years
We take our pensions later, to accommodate rising life expectancy. But unfortunately for those looking to move up or even get on to the property ladder later in life, most mortgage lenders are failing to keep up.

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