What do I do with my money?

[ade1982]

Dear all,

Having read all the advice here and not being able to consume all the information fully, I thorw myself on your advice.

Currently, I have


Halifax ISA Saver - £13,000
a 2 year fixed (I can't touch without losing interest) Web Saver with the Halifax, with about £1,700 in it,
a stocks and shares ISA, which I have put £1,270 in, and is worth £1,255 (lost money). I was putting in £250 a month, but after continually losing money in a rather volatile market, I'm putting away just £20 a month now
another ISA with about £3,400 in with Barclays
and a high interest current account that my wages go into with currently £900 in it.I have maxed out my ISA this year, and I can afford to put around £900 away every month.

I don't need to access the money for what I anticipate is about another 2 years, to buy a house, or whatever. I don't mind having to give notice to obtain money, but the shorter the better obviously, and I require at least the ability to view the balance over the internet. I am not one for taking massive risks, particularly with money, and although I don't mind opening a few accounts that are managable, I don't want to go nuts and have an account open at every bank.

What should I do?!

Many thanks in advance.

[ade1982]

This is a double posted topic, could a mod delete, please?

[Mikeyorks]

As you seem to have an affinity with Halifax - try their Regular Saver (10%) for £500 of your £900. As it's 'new money' ie direct from your pay the RS is an extremely good vehicle for you. And you can set up an SO direct from their High Interest current account (which I assume is the one at your last bullet point?).

Put the other £400 into an easy access account at 6.0% + (Kaupthing 6.5%or Birmingham Midshires 6.3%) .... to ensure you have the funds available in a tight month - as you must fund the RS every month (thread on it on this Forum) although you can exceptionally reduce the payment down to £25 in any month.

If I'm right about the Current Account - you can leave a bit more in that as it pays 5.12% up to £2500?

[Mikeyorks]

Also - look at moving your ISAs. Unless the Halifax one is fixed then you're getting a low rate on it.

Have a look at the ISA thread ... but Ruffler at (last I looked) 6.2% looks a good place (only drawback is 30 day notice period .. but not an issue if you're organised?) to merge both your ISAs. Saw a thread on it recently - will add a link in a moment :-

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=954629

(Doesn't meet your online view requirement but, with an ISA, is that a problem? They're a bit boring to look at! So long as you have an initial and then periodic statements?)