Best ways to invest £1500 per month for 15yrs

Burton1979

We have recently made some changes to our financial situation which will allow some more saving money each month. We have 15yrs until retirement and currently have a couple of small work based pensions and a buy-to-let with a very little mortgage left on it. We now want to make the spare £1500pm we have work as hard as possible to give us a pot to have some options. I am assuming Stocks & Shares ISA is the way to go but need some help of where & what to invest in, also which platform to use and how often investments should be viewed changed? 

xylophone

currently have a couple of small work based pensions 

Are you able to make additional contributions to your pensions?

Sailtheworld

I'd start with Lars Kroijer's free videos that accompany his book Investing Demystified at www.kroijer.com.

pjread

+1 to xylophone's comment - pension is almost certain to be the most efficient vehicle, whatever you do.

Beyond that, if you don't want to do much homework grab a good diversified fund that meets your risk tolerance and just chuck it all at that (e.g. something like vanguard's LS60, or split between a world tracker plus a bond fund/something 'safer' ).  Then at most, rebalance annually or so if you've more than 1 fund - don't randomly change trying to chase a winner. 

Burton1979

Thanks for the replies everyone. Can top up pension but am thinking not at the moment incase I need to access the cash, hence S&S ISA instead. 

One thing I need to do more research on is the fees associated to the different platforms, any advice out there where H&L sit compared to others? The platform seems very easy to use but have read that its pricey compared to others. 

Sebo027

Hi Burton,
RE Platforms - For platform comparison you can use https://comparetheplatform.com/ which allows you to put in your portfolio and it'll estimate the charges for a number of investment platforms. 
When looking at where to invest, consider the following:

• Exposure to Emerging Markets;
• Exposure to Equities (Stocks);
• Exposure to Bonds;
• Geographical allocation;
• Charges, fees, taxes, and currency. 

The ratio of exposure you choose to invest in each will depend on you as an individual i.e. your tolerance to risk, your underlying financial situation and your plans for the future. A common approach is to diversify more heavily in stocks and increase the ratio to bonds as one reaches retirement.
I would recommend checking out this website, which focuses specifically on passive investments through low cost, globally diversified ETFs: https://www.deadsimplesaving.com/ 
Obviously there are multiple strategies passive investments in globally diversified ETFs is one strategy of many.

Sebo027

Hi Burton,
RE Platforms - For platform comparison you can use https://comparetheplatform.com/ which allows you to put in your portfolio and it'll estimate the charges for a number of investment platforms. 
When looking at where to invest, consider the following:

• Exposure to Emerging Markets;
• Exposure to Equities (Stocks);
• Exposure to Bonds;
• Geographical allocation;
• Charges, fees, taxes, and currency. 

The ratio of exposure you choose to invest in each will depend on you as an individual i.e. your tolerance to risk, your underlying financial situation and your plans for the future. A common approach is to diversify more heavily in stocks and increase the ratio to bonds as one reaches retirement.
I would recommend checking out this website, which focuses specifically on passive investments through low cost, globally diversified ETFs: https://www.deadsimplesaving.com/ 
Obviously there are multiple strategies passive investments in globally diversified ETFs is one strategy of many.

dunstonh

I am assuming Stocks & Shares ISA is the way to go

Why have you made that assumption?  (it probably isn't the best way based on objective but it could be). The pension tax wrapper could well be better.

Can top up pension but am thinking not at the moment incase I need to access the cash, hence S&S ISA instead. 

If you need access to the money then should you be using an S&S ISA?   

If you need access to some then cash savings should be used.   You may want to have some of the money accessible as a secondary tier but surely not the whole amount?   In which case, a combination of cash, S&S ISA and pension would be better.

ColdIron

It depends upon what you invest in, funds or shares, and how often you trade. For small amounts or frequent purchases you want a percentage fee provider

A good summary of the main providers

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

Plug your numbers into these for some 'what ifs'

http://www.comparefundplatforms.com/
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5583030on the best platform after you identify the best investments to meet your objectives and not the other way around

Burton1979

The suggestion of  'In which case, a combination of cash, S&S ISA and pension would be better', is something I am already doing, I totally understand the tax benefits of pensions but just don't like the fact that this money is lock away, especially in world where no one knows what will happen! 

One more question I have is, does anyone have any advice/suggestions on good funds that have a commercial property background? 

burner01

Burton1979 said:

The suggestion of  'In which case, a combination of cash, S&S ISA and pension would be better', is something I am already doing, I totally understand the tax benefits of pensions but just don't like the fact that this money is lock away, especially in world where no one knows what will happen! 

One more question I have is, does anyone have any advice/suggestions on good funds that have a commercial property background? 

Thought you said you didn’t need the cash for 15 years. Make your mind up....