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Before You Invest - Investment Advice

Think about your current financial situation and where investing fits within your wider financial journey. Your financial adviser will help you with this

Do you have enough money to invest?
Assess your current financial situation and consider whether you can allocate a portion of your savings without compromising your immediate financial obligations or future goals.

Do you have outstanding debts?
Prioritise paying off high-interest debts, such as credit card balances or high-interest loans. High-interest debts can erode your financial stability and potential investment gains.

Have you built up emergency cash savings?
Unforeseen events like home repairs or sudden unemployment may be costly. Before committing to investing, establish an emergency cash savings fund. Ideally, this fund covers three to six months’ worth of living expenses and acts as a safety net.

Do you have adequate financial protection?
What would happen if you were off work due to sickness or an accident? Your financial adviser can help set up the financial protection you need.

How long can you leave your money invested?
Consider your objectives for this money and whether this means that there is a certain time frame when you would want to access it. For example, paying for a wedding, anniversary, or children’s school fees

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What Are the Main Risks of Investing?

Investing comes with risks. Balancing risk and return is the main challenge of investing and it is a key part of the value you receive from working with a financial adviser.

The amount of risk you take is closely linked to the return potential of any investment. The more risk you take, the more potential you have for a higher return.

Here are some of the main risks you will need to consider:

Investment risk: The risk of your investments losing value in the shorter term.
Example: If you buy company shares or bonds, the value of your investments are impacted by how the economy is doing, political events, or company performance, so your investments can go up or down.

Goal risk: The risk of your investments not growing enough for you to meet your goals.
Example: You may not be able to retire when you want to or help your children to get on the property ladder.

Longevity risk: The risk of outliving your income.
Example: You might live longer than expected and your money runs out when you are in retirement.

Event risk: The risk of unexpected events that affect your plan.
Example: You face a medical situation, and you’re forced to retire earlier than planned.

Savings risk: The risk of not saving enough to invest.
Example: You may have unexpected expenses like car repairs or medical bills and you might end up spending the money you planned to save.

Inflation risk: The risk of inflation eroding your savings.
Example: Your investments don’t grow at a rate higher than inflation so your money is worth less than what it is today and doesn’t have the same purchasing power

Interest rate risk: The risk of changes in interest rates affecting your expenses.
Example: Interest rates go down, so any savings in a bank account don’t earn as much, or interest rates go up and your mortgage payments increase.

It’s important to understand that not even the world’s foremost investment experts know exactly what markets are going to do and when.

Your financial adviser will support you and give tailored advice to suit your personal circumstances.

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The Real Value of Financial Advice

" Most unadvised customers would experience better financial outcomes if they followed professional financial advice."

Source: Adviser Delta, a Quilter research paper on the importance of advice, June 2019.

Please note, this research was originally conducted in 2016. The figures quoted are likely to have changed over time and should not be used as advice. It is intended for illustrative purposes only.

Consider this example:

Average retirement income without financial advice £17,168.

Average retirement income with financial advice £24,175. This is 40% higher (£7,007) than without financial advice.
Over a 21-year retirement, this means having an extra £147,147.

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How We Can Help

Your financial adviser will work closely with you to understand your personal situation and identify your purpose.
They will also help you by:

Assessing what level of risk you are comfortable in taking

They will evaluate your comfort level with investment risk and your capacity for loss:

What is your investment experience and knowledge?

How comfortable are you with the risks of investing?

What level of risk do you need to take?

Determining your financial objectives

They will establish your hopes, aspirations, and concerns to tailor a plan that meets your needs:

What would you like to achieve?

When would you like to achieve it by?

What would you like to avoid along the way?

Evaluating your financial situation

They will consider how to invest to achieve your goals:

Are your assets held in the most appropriate name?

Do each of your assets have the right ownership, such as named beneficiaries?

Are each of your assets held in the right tax wrapper, such as ISAs and pensions?

Choosing the right investment solution

They will select the most suitable financial product for your needs:

Do your investments have the right level of return expectations?

Is the level of investment risk appropriate and in line with what you have agreed?

Can your investments be released if you need them to be?

Providing ongoing support

They will ensure that your investments continue to align with your goals in the future:

Consider any changes to your purpose, goals, or personal circumstances.

Check if any personal changes in income or capital values impact your current savings or tax situation.

Explain how any changes impact you in terms of welfare or income, capital, or inheritance tax changes

Whether you prefer a local adviser visiting you in person or a remote consultation by phone or video call, we tailor our service to meet your needs, wherever you are in the UK.

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Why choose Beals Financial Advisers?

Working with our financial advisers offers trusted expertise, personalised guidance, and tailored strategies to achieve your financial goals:

We take a comprehensive view of your financial situation, considering factors such as insurance, mortgages, retirement, savings and investments, estate planning, and cash flow management.

We can provide strategies to minimise tax liabilities, ensuring you keep more of your money.

We can help you develop and manage an investment portfolio that aligns with your financial objectives and risk profile.

We have access to a wide range of financial products and tools that may not be available to individual investors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between saving and investing?

Saving typically involves setting aside money in a secure account for short-term goals or emergencies, earning minimal interest. Investing, on the other hand, involves putting money into assets like stocks, bonds, or funds with the aim of achieving higher returns over the long term, though it carries more risk.

How do I decide between a savings account and an investment?

If you need access to your money in the short term or want to minimise risk, a savings account is often more suitable. For long-term goals, investing could offer higher potential returns, though it comes with greater risk. The right choice depends on your time horizon, risk tolerance, and financial goals.

What types of investments are available to me?

Common investment types include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, property, and alternative investments like commodities or private equity. Each carries different levels of risk and potential returns.

How can I reduce the risk when investing?

Diversification is a key strategy for managing risk. By spreading your investments across different asset classes, sectors, and regions, you reduce the impact of poor performance from any single investment. Regular reviews and balancing your portfolio can also help manage risk.

What is an ISA, and how can it benefit me?

An Individual Savings Account (ISA) allows you to save or invest in a tax efficient account', up to the annual limit set by the government. There are different types of ISAs, including Cash ISAs, Stocks and Shares ISAs, and Lifetime ISAs, each offering unique benefits.

How much should I save or invest each month?

The amount depends on your income, expenses, and financial goals. A general rule is to save at least 20% of your income if possible, allocating some to an emergency fund and the rest toward long-term investments/savings.

What is compound interest, and how does it work?

Compound interest is the interest earned on both your initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods. This effect can significantly boost the value of your investments over time.

Are investments guaranteed to grow?

No, investments are not guaranteed to grow, and their value can fluctuate. While some investments historically provide long-term growth, there is always a risk of loss. It's important to invest according to your risk tolerance and financial goals.

Why should I review my savings and investments regularly?

Regular reviews help ensure your savings and investments remain aligned with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and any changes in your circumstances or market conditions. It also allows for adjustments with the aim of optimising performance and reduce unnecessary fees.

Do I need a financial adviser for my savings and investments?

While it’s possible to manage your own savings and investments, a financial adviser can provide expert guidance tailored to your specific goals and risk tolerance. Advisers help with creating a diversified investment strategy, tax planning, and navigating complex financial products, which can ultimately save you time, reduce risk, and potentially improve returns.

Book Your Free Consultation with a Local Financial Adviser Near You

We offer complimentary consultations with a local financial adviser, including a free review of your pensions and investments, along with our expert recommendations. It's free, no-obligation, no pressure. Fees only apply if you choose to proceed with our advisers recommendations, we will make you aware of any associated costs from the start.

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