What are your priorities?

This may depend on your circumstances:-

• You may be already wealthy but want to be richer than Bill Gates.
• You may be financially ok but want to build a retirement fund without risk
• You may have spare cash and want to make the best use of it.
• You may be saving for a house and want to build up a deposit before house prices go up beyond reach.
• You may be a gambler and can afford to take a risk for the chance of substantial gains.
• You may have a philanthropic streak and want to fund a worthwhile project without too much concern for financial gain.

There is usually a trade-off between degree of risk and potential profit, with low-risk and low profit at one end, and high-risk and high potential profit at the other. It is probably best not to gamble if you cannot afford to lose but there always some who will not settle for mediocre and want to make or break.

It is not for us to pass judgment, but simply to show you options.

Your House - Property

I will start here because everyone needs somewhere to live anyway and because house prices in the UK double roughly every 7 years! This makes it a major investment that you cannot afford to ignore.

To avoid repetition Property investment is on a separate page.

Your Education

Do not underestimate the value of education. If you are not prepared to invest in yourself, why should anyone else?

To avoid repetition Education is on a separate page.

Banks and Building Societies

Starting at the low risk end, you can compare interest rates offered by Banks and Building Societies and look at ISA's. Generally you get higher interest if you commit to leaving the money in for a period of time.

If you leave the management of your investment to someone else then:-

1. You will be paying them to do it.
2. They may not do a very good job anyway

But if you haven't got the time to sort it out yourself, want low risk and don't need a high interest rate then this is for you.

Funding new Enterprises

Some people have a business idea or an idea for a new product but do not have the finances to bring their brain-child to fruition. Often they can present a business plan to their bank and get funding, but often they will seek private financial backing.

There are companies that exist to bring together those that need funding and those that want to invest.
For an example check Angel Investment network

Stocks & shares

At one time you had no choice than to pay a lot to middle men. The rise of the internet provides many alternatives. You can trade at £10 flat fee for UK trades at Interactive Investor but that is just one - shop around.

Currency Trading

The ethics may be questionable, but there is a lot of money to be made from trading in foreign currencies. Not only that, there are training courses and software to help you do just that. Look at Currency Trading.

Gambling

Sure some people strike it lucky and win the lottery or win the jackpot at Vegas but this is really not the way to ensure your future. Don't rely on luck, check out the options and decide which are for you.

 

UK Inheritance Tax (IHT)

This is a fee charged by the UK government for allowing you to leave some of your money to others. This topic is not exactly an investment, but there's not much point investing if you then lose the money in death duty.

Find out where you stand, you may be shocked! Don't think you can give it away a few years before you die because the tax man will take into account anything you have given away in the last seven years before death!

House values are continually rising, if your estate is likely to be over £275,000 then find out more. It may be worth noting that If you are a permanent resident of Cyprus when you die, the inheritance of your estate all over the world is tax-free.

 

Lastly

There will be a lot of people trying to rip you off. Don't believe everything you read or are told. Have a look at Dangers.