Starting off investing

gadgetmind

Perelandra wrote: »

With an annual management charge of 1.5% on an L&G tracker-based investment, the tax benefit doesn't seem worth it.

I guess it depends on the markets and your tax rate, but I'm inclined to agree. Trackers aren't good because they are trackers, but because they are a low-fee route to get equity exposure, or at least they are supposed to be!

BLB53

I am looking to start off investing small amounts (about £70-100 a month) mostly buying indexes but also a small amount (<10%) in individual shares in companies.

Index would be a good start - check out the article on Monevator - Investing on a Weeny budget.

As others have said, 10% of your £100 pm into shares will not be cost effective. You could try investment trusts and go direct to the likes of Aberdeen as there are no buying costs.

I recommend the books recommended by gadgetmind (BEN Graham btw). The other one I would suggest is aimed at new investors 'Slow & Steady Steps' by J Hulton (ebook) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slow-Steady-Steps-Wealth-ebook/dp/B007EBLN3G/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340527264&sr=1-3
Also watch out for charges - have a read of Monkey with a pin http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monkey-Pin-missing-investment-ebook/dp/B007WRECVW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kinc_1 (free download from authors website!)

Good luck!

droopsnoot

lost_in_the_woods wrote: »

Having said that if I was wanting to physically buy a krugerrand or sovereign (maybe to give as a gift) where would I get one from other than the internet as I don’t want to get scammed.

I have a couple which I bought from a local jewellery / pawn shop which were a reasonable price at the time. How much value there is in me being able to look at them before purchase is debatable, but at least I had the thing in my hand as the money was taken, so the chance of sending the money and getting nothing in return was removed. There are several on-line sellers that people highly recommend, though.

gadgetmind

BLB53 wrote: »

BEN Graham btw

Yup, I swap their names all the time. Thanks.

usermay2011

Ive found this thread really useful

Im am in the very same place, with same type of job in same location and same pay package.

I'm also looking to save each month but I've also got 40k saved up. With this type of savings would it be wise to move away from letting a property at 450/month and add a flat to my portfolio? Seems pretty rubbish to be losing 450 a month when i could get a 175000 2 bed flat and cover the mortgage with 2 people including myself paying 900 in total.

I only have a cash ISA at the moment with no other investements.

Your thoughts?

Cheers