Investing for your future. What would you tell a younger you?
Plan for tomorrow
Saving and investing for your future is something we all know and have been told we should do.
The reality is though, it not always easy to make changes. One of the most interesting parts of my job is asking older customers what they would do differently and what financial & investment advice would they give a younger self.
Frequently, the answers I get are very funny and probably not for this blog. However, over whelming the two favourite answers are;
1. save more for emergencies and a rainy day
2. save more and start earlier for my retirement.
The interesting part about this for me is that this is basic stuff. It always makes me think that financial planners, financial advisors, banks and financial press maybe make the whole idea of saving and investing more complicated than it should be. So what have we done to assist customers here at Nelson Life to help them better understand saving and investing?
Number 1: How can I invest for my future?
Savings can be for a specific purpose, like paying for your children’s education or paying off your mortgage early. You may just want to build up a “rainy day fund” that can help you deal with unexpected costs or finance some home improvements. Currently, deposit rates aren’t as attractive as they once were, but there are options available to you that can get your money working hard for you. It might be time to look into a longer-term plan for your savings.
Number 2: What are the main types of savings and investment products available to me?
Demand deposit - allow you to access you money at anytime.
Fixed deposits - for a set period, rates of interest generally are higher than demand. however, you cannot access during the investment term.
Investment funds - vary according to the particular fund they invest into. For example, they could be tech companies, large multi nationals, fixed securities from governments (bonds), property or a combination of different asset classes.
Note: investment funds are subject to risk. Their value at anytime could be less than the amount you have invested. Tracker and loan note type investments: these products generally offer some portion of capital protection. I don't use the word guarantee because these investments will be exposed to the counter-party risk of the company providing the capital protection.
Longer term savings plans: these plans are available from life assurance providers. These contracts allow you to invest monthly and accumulate capital sum over a period of time. Life assurance providers typically recommended term for these plans is typically 5 years, we recommend 7 years.
Number 3: What type of return can I expect?
The longer the term, the more impact even a small extra return will make on your investment due to the return multiplying over time. Take for example EUR 20,000 invested for 5, 10, and 20 years and say your options are;
1% per year on LOW RISK ; 3% per year on a LOW-MEDIUM RISK fund and 5% per year on a HIGHER RISK fund (after taxes an charges).
Let’s look at your potential return:
Warning: These figures are estimates only. They are not a reliable guide to the future performance of your investment.
EUR 20,000 for 5 years;
Low risk - EUR 21,020 Medium risk - EUR 23,186 High risk - EUR 25,527
EUR 20,000 for 10 years;
Low risk - EUR 22,092 Medium risk - EUR 26,878 High risk - EUR 32,578
EUR 20,000 for 20 years;
Low risk - EUR 24,404 Medium risk - EUR 36,122 High risk - EUR 53,066
Number 4: What risk should I take?
This depends on your risk preference, your capacity to withstand risk and your financial objectives. This is an area we can give you key advice.What are you hoping to achieve and goal setting is a big part of what we do. Is there an expected level of return that you need? For much longer term investment would using a tax efficient pension structure make more sense?
Number 5: Factors to consider.
1. Your minimum investment term and when will you need access to money ?
2. Is there capital security needed and how much would you be prepared to lose ?
3. What are the key risks associated with the investment recommended ?
4. How are the returns taxed ?
5. What is the impact of charges on your investment ?
Want to know more? We are available to discuss your options, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Our job is to help you choose a product and structure that will help you meet your goals.
telephone | 091441188 and/or email | office@nelsonlife.ie
RETIREMENT & PENSIONS | INVESTMENTS | FINANCIAL PLANNING | LIFE INSURANCE
Nelson Life Limited trading as Nelson Life is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
WARNING: Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance. WARNING: The value of your investment may go down as well as up. WARNING: You may lose some or all of the money you invest. WARNING: These funds may be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. WARNING: If you invest into this product you will have access until you retire (Pension Products). WARNING: The above content does not constitute investment advice, as it does not take into account the investment objectives, knowledge and experience of financial situation of any particular person. Prospective investors are advised to make their own assessment of the information contained herein and to obtain professional advice suitable to their own individual circumstances. WARNING: The information contained in this document is based on our understanding of current tax legislation and the current Revenue Commissioners interpretation thereof and is subject to change including retrospectively without notice. This is intended as a general guide only and is not a substitute for professional tax, legal and investment advice.