£40k into ISAs now or in March '23?

solidpro

Hi

As a married couple we try to put £20k each into S&S ISAs each year with Vanguard (LS80). We're both in our 40s and can weather any storms.

We have the money now but do we do it in December or wait until the last moment in March? 

Any guesses? and they are guesses....

cheers

B0bbyEwing

What's the basis behind asking now or later? Are you thinking (or asking if) later will be a better time to buy in (and if so why)?

From my readings on it, and it's only my readings and what I've taken from them (which could easily be wildly incorrect), the answer appears to almost always be if you're deciding now or later then now is the answer. 

Exception being those who have that crystal ball in their possession. 

solidpro

My experience in winter 2021/22 was that December had a dip and it was a good time to buy. January everything increased a LOT and then right at the end of January everything sunk by 15% and stayed there for 6 months. I think at the time many people on here expressed that a similar thing happens around January each year just 'because'. 

I understand what you're saying and this is a completely 'gut feeling' question because I suspect many people are trying to game their 2022/23 allowance right now. It's a very finite question though. 3 months to go...now or then?

Band7

As the saying goes: it is not about timing the market but about time in the market

mark_cycling00

The standard approach is...

wait for a better time to invest...
the market drops due to something
you feel vindicated
the market recovers very quickly
you missed out on the dip
repeat...

don't do this...

a_gasman

If you are undecided, try halve now and the rest in march.

ColdIron

If you look at the performance chart in 10 years time do you think you will be able to see the difference in price? Unless we have a GFC or Covid event chances are you won't be able to

Sg28

Divide the 40k by the number of weeks left until the deadline and out this much in per week. 

ColdIron

If the OP pays transaction fees that could be quite expensive

[Deleted User]

Hi,

for the sake of a few pence per unit, does it really matter, if you're in for long time.

Vanguard LifeStrategy 80% Equity Fund A Acc

Why do you wait until year end instead of going in at start of new tax year?

mlc2009

mark_cycling00 said:

The standard approach is...

wait for a better time to invest...
the market drops due to something
you feel vindicated
the market recovers very quickly
you missed out on the dip
repeat...

don't do this...

You are forgetting the fear of missing out and then buying in higher than before the dip