Started my first Stocks and Shares ISA.

dunstonh

Most people would say 10 years is a good timeline to be working with for this sort of investment, but obviously the longer the better.

Ten years is good for a single contribution. It's the barest minimum realistically for regular contribution. Statistically, there's a minority chance of getting back less than you pay in, but its higher than a single contribution would be. Mainly the risk that a drop occurs near the end year 9 as the majority of the money in there would not have had 10 years to grow.

wiseonesomeofthetime

I put £36,495 into VLS100, over two tax years, 2021/22, 2022/23, and it's currently worth £63,700.

I am fully aware that that figure can change at the stroke off a pen from Trump, or an action from Putin (I bought in the dip after the invasion), or any other scenario, as the balance has bounced a fair bit since then.

Not prepared to throw any more money in the pot, despite the reasonable return, as I think this is the limit of my risk averseness, and have plenty of cash reserves should the whole thing blow up overnight. Others may find adding more, especially in the dips, is a risk worth taking.

I am in my sixties and in the spending phase of life now though, after too many frugal years while raising families, paying divorces, and meeting bills.

Albermarle

I am fully aware that that figure can change at the stroke off a pen from Trump, or an action from Putin (I bought in the dip after the invasion), or any other scenario.

In general financial markets seem to often stay quite stable, or even keep growing, when bad global news is being splashed across media outlets. Although they can sometimes react short term to some news.

They seem to be most vulnerable to issues within their own financial world, like in 2008 with the mess around sub prime mortgages, or investing bubbles.

DogTailRed2

Thanks for the reply.

Yes longer is better but unfortunately life isn't always that compliant.

PixelPound

How hard of a deadline is 10 years? Are you needing to draw on it at 69 or can you let it go longer.

Look up sequence of returns risk.

Who are you using for your broker? Some charge a fee some are free.

As some have said a SIPP might be a good alternative, especially if on more than basic rate.