Recommend me an S&S ISA

MoneySaver2011_2

Given that I don't know that much about funds/stock markets and little free time, perhaps a tracker is the best option for me?

Carpi09

I seriously recommend the book Smarter Investing by Tim Hale.

I bought this book after getting a S&S ISA containing the Vanguard Life Strategy 80 Fund. Everything in the book relates to this fund and has made me confident on my choice of fund.

The book also details how you can use defensive assets to counter any downturn in the market.

If you are a inexperienced investor like me, start with something like the VLS is perfect. :j

Just be prepared to stick with it and don't be a victim to buy high and sell low!

adewalton

Take a look at H & L, they do the Vanguard life strategy funds.
They are funds of funds, you can also choose how much % is in equities and how much is in bonds...... just a thought?
I like the look of these funds plus you can add extra funds to run along side it if you wish.
H & L do charge a £2 per month platform fee but if investing a few grand it's not to heavy!!!
Check them out and see what you think?
Be interested to know what you think?
You can split it 20/80, 40/60, 60/40, 80/20 or 100%.
The split is equities/bonds and implies different risk reward levels!!
Take a look sometime!

MoneySaver2011_2

Thanks guys. I like the look of VLS. Nice and simplified.

adewalton

Let us know which flavour you go for?
Best of luck

slinga

My very small 2 cents worth on which fund to go for, because platforms are quite similar to me although I transferred from Fidelity to H & L.

When ever I check the performance of the the funds I hold on H & Ls Chart Center thingy I find that if held for 5 years then the riskier funds tend to well outperform the 'riskless' funds by quite a margin.
OK at certain points of time the risky funds will have a major drop which might bring the performance down close to that of the 'riskless' funds but the riskier funds will within a few months pick up again.

So my thoughts are that if you intend holding for a min 5 year period then go with the riskier funds and let the funds go about their business without you interfering.

On th H & L platform you can also add virtual funds which will give you a comparison of how you fair between risky and riskless even if you don't buy the riskless/

Wittering a bit here but ...

Good luck and perhaps the 'expert' might comment on my thoughts.

I'm thick skinned.:cool::rotfl:

d4v34

Deleted_User wrote: »

Thanks guys. I like the look of VLS. Nice and simplified.

Hi Deleted_User,
I'd be interested in knowing what you select, I'm in a similar position as you.
I've got cash on deposit with HL at the moment (£15k) and I've hovered over buying the into the Vanguard 80 for a while now.
However I'm now thinking about the Vanguard 60 due to my age (early 40's) but countering that is having 40% in government bonds at this point a good idea?

Can anyone kindly sanity check buying into the Vanguard 80 or 60 at this point.

Cheers

BLB53

Can anyone kindly sanity check buying into the Vanguard 80 or 60 at this point

With 25 yrs to retirement, I would suggest the question should be between the 100 or the 80. Equities will, on average return 6 % pa after inflation - bonds and gilts nearer to 2% pa. Personally I would be going for the 100 for the next 10 yrs at least but everyone can only decide what feels right for themselves.

d4v34

BLB53 wrote: »

With 25 yrs to retirement, I would suggest the question should be between the 100 or the 80. Equities will, on average return 6 % pa after inflation - bonds and gilts nearer to 2% pa. Personally I would be going for the 100 for the next 10 yrs at least but everyone can only decide what feels right for themselves.

Good point, I was originally going for the 80/20 split so may well consider this again.
Thanks