Easy to use S&S ISA platform for my mum

vaskie

I've think I've finally convinced my mum to invest in a Stocks and Shares ISA.

Can someone recommend a platform that is easy to use? She will be investing in low cost index linked funds (global, S&P 500 etc) and government bonds.

She will be putting small amounts in regularly, maybe £500 per month and probably a lump sum to start off with. She is 59 years old.

We have been considering Fidelity, Charles Stanley Direct and TD Direct. Any opinions on these as to the cost of fees and ease of use? Any better options?

Thanks!

jimjames

Only used Fidelity out of that list. Between them and HL I'd say HL wins hands down for ease of use. Depends if you're prepared to pay the premium for that service.

smithers1981

Ive used charles stanley direct without issue, also HL the later great customer service answered phone call after 3 rings by a human being!

HL more expensive though.

xylophone

For ease of use, efficiency and help line, HL are beyond compare.

However, their fees are percentage based. For a modest portfolio, this may be acceptable but as the value of the assets increases, so does the "ouch factor" which is why I moved my ISA to II (flat fee).

II's service is improving and at the moment I am content with the service provided.

http://monevator.com/compare-uk-cheapest-online-brokers/

Sue58

xylophone wrote: »

For ease of use, efficiency and help line, HL are beyond compare.

However, their fees are percentage based. For a modest portfolio, this may be acceptable but as the value of the assets increases, so does the "ouch factor" which is why I moved my ISA to II (flat fee).

II's service is improving and at the moment I am content with the service provided.

http://monevator.com/compare-uk-cheapest-online-brokers/

I'm with Fidelity for my S&S ISA investments and currently have around £75K invested.

I am very happy with the service provided by them and like the website which I find easy to use, however, please can you tell me how much you have to have invested for it to be more beneficial to switch to a flat fee platform?

vaskie

jimjames wrote: »

Only used Fidelity out of that list. Between them and HL I'd say HL wins hands down for ease of use. Depends if you're prepared to pay the premium for that service.

So 0.45% account fee for HL, compared with 0.36% for Fidelity and 0.25% for Charles Stanley Direct.

Do they all offer the same/similar kind of fund indexes?

badger09

Sue58 wrote: »

I'm with Fidelity for my S&S ISA investments and currently have around £75K invested.

I am very happy with the service provided by them and like the website which I find easy to use, however, please can you tell me how much you have to have invested for it to be more beneficial to switch to a flat fee platform?

Sadly its not quite as straightforward as that. There are several factors which can have an impact for example what you invest in (funds, ETFs, ITs etc) and how often you invest.

Have a look at the spreadsheet in the first post here. You can put your own figures in and play with various scenarios:T

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5583030

Sue58

badger09 wrote: »

Sadly its not quite as straightforward as that. There are several factors which can have an impact for example what you invest in (funds, ETFs, ITs etc) and how often you invest.

Have a look at the spreadsheet in the first post here. You can put your own figures in and play with various scenarios:T

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5583030

Thanks for the link badger09 but I can't seem to input the data!

I currently have £75K only in funds in my S&S ISA and only invest once a year.

ColdIron

Download it and enable editing in Excel if you need to

vaskie

badger09 wrote: »

Sadly its not quite as straightforward as that. There are several factors which can have an impact for example what you invest in (funds, ETFs, ITs etc) and how often you invest.

Have a look at the spreadsheet in the first post here. You can put your own figures in and play with various scenarios:T

Thanks badger09, great resource. Kudos to its creator!

So Charles Stanley Direct seems cheap for new investors investing smaller amounts.

badger09

Sue58 wrote: »

Thanks for the link badger09 but I can't seem to input the data!

I currently have £75K only in funds in my S&S ISA and only invest once a year.

Off the top of my head - IWeb. £25 account opening fee, £5 per trade dealing fee, no other holding chrges.

BUT do check they hold the funds you have, or at least something comparable. For example, they do carry the Vanguard Lifestrategy range but not Blackrock Consensus or L&G Multi Index.