Where do I start with Investments?

It’s often said that investing isn’t an exact science, and even the most experienced investor can lose money as well as make it.

For some, investing can be a hobby or even a job, however, few of us have the time or inclination to understand the vast number of different investment products on the market and consider what the best options are to suit our particular needs and objectives.

The reality is, that with everyone leading very busy lives, keeping up to speed with everything that is going on in the financial world, especially in terms of investment products, is almost impossible.

Designing an investment portfolio requires careful planning, and needs to consider a number of factors, not least the tax implications, your attitude to risk, your income and your aspirations.

Managing the potential downside of any investment is as important as targeting the potential gains and generally speaking, the higher the returns, the higher the risk.

When planning ahead, it’s important to think about your short, medium and longer term needs as well as taking into consideration any possible life changes, such as having a family. Any investment decisions should take account of all of these, as well as ensuring that you have the opportunity to check your investment portfolio on a regular basis.

Any financial plan could include a combination of saving into a deposit account, to putting money into an Individual Savings Account, and investing in stocks and shares using various investment products.

There are no right or wrong decisions when it comes to investing, only decisions that meet your specific needs. And for those of us who don’t do it for a job, independent financial advice should be your first stop.