Opened a Trading212 S&S ISA

Alexland

BrotherUuurgh said:

Consider the saving/investing as me treating myself for making the changes that have found me in this position. It's just something to get me engaging in something positive, and as a bit of a carrot.

You may enjoy saving or investing with a LISA as it's a carrot that's 25% longer. Just read the terms carefully in particular if you think it's likely your first property purchase might be above £450k once you get around to buying it as the 25% early withdrawal penalty is a bit more than the 25% bonus (£4000 + £1000) * 0.75 = £3750 but then as eskbanker commented there are probably more suitable choices for you than a S&P500 tracker.

BrotherUuurgh said:

- My workplace contribute 3% and I, 5%. At least, that's what it will be after my third pay. I don't know much more than that, other than I/we will start to contribute after month 3 of my employment (I'm new and on probation).

Its worth checking with the employer if they would do any additional matching if you put in a slightly higher % as this does not affect your take home as much as you would otherwise pay tax on drawing the income. If they operate salary sacrifice that's even better as you could also save the national insurance on pension contributions.

BrotherUuurgh said:

- The thought of switching banks is too much of a headache for me at the moment. I don't want to split my DDs between NW and a donor account and keep moving things. Just not for me, not yet.

Your choice but a couple of observations (1) the reading the T&Cs and required actions can pay off double if both you and your partner take up the same offers at the same time (2) it doesn't have to be the DDs on your main account for the household bills you can create new DDs and combine with other incentives for example if you signup to a L&G life insurance at a low level of cover you can pay a £5 pm DD for 6 months and they payout a £120 amazon voucher. I usually have a couple of cashback insurance DD offers on the go where the payouts are more than the premiums will cost and it keeps a donor switching account going without needing a very high balance.

I can't comment on a career in aircraft maintenance but wish you well with it. If you want something enough you will hopefully find ways to apply yourself and learn from others to make it happen.