ISA stocks & shares - when to invest?

Albermarle

I recently put a little money into what was supposed to be a pretty safe S&S ISA and immediately lost 5%. A 'moderate risk' pension with a huge provider has barely matched inflation over the last few years. I've become so risk averse that I keep nearly all my money in the building society and sleep better for it

No such thing as a safe S&S ISA - these are risk based investments . On the other hand 5% is part of the natural ups and downs. When you invested in the ISA you would have received many warnings that 'investments can go down as well as up' 

My moderate risk pensions have beat inflation hands down in recent years .

Taking no risks is the biggest risk of all .

george4064

Downandoutinbeverleyyorks said:

steampowered said:

Premium bonds return less than inflation. They are only suitable for short term investing where you expect to spend the money in less than 5 years. If you want to keep the money longer than that you should really be investing.

Premium Bonds are paying more than most savings at the moment, though you're unlikely to get the 1% unless you have a lot of them. I've had investments that have lost money over 20 years, in cash terms - halved in real terms, and none have done well. My fault for not moving the money though there were mitigating circumstances, but it's not the guaranteed win people suggest. I recently put a little money into what was supposed to be a pretty safe S&S ISA and immediately lost 5%. A 'moderate risk' pension with a huge provider has barely matched inflation over the last few years. I've become so risk averse that I keep nearly all my money in the building society and sleep better for it. Just bought more Premium Bonds too. Effectively zero chance of winning a million but the money's safe.

The biggest risk you have taken is getting into something you clearly don't understand with investing.