Premium Bond Winner ?

GaleSF63

Over a few years my wins continue to keep me more or less in line with what I would get in interest so I can keep them and keep up the fantasy of winning big.

Macsidia

GaleSF63 said:

Over a few years my wins continue to keep me more or less in line with what I would get in interest so I can keep them and keep up the fantasy of winning big.

I'm getting much less than what I'd expect from a savings account and it's making me question why I'm still holding on but it's thought of getting a big win or even a decent win like £500 or £1,000.

Likewise April draw was a disappointing £25 on a holding of just over £43.5K. £200 for the first 4 draws of 2025. A poor start for the year.

slinger2

Macsidia said:

GaleSF63 said:

Over a few years my wins continue to keep me more or less in line with what I would get in interest so I can keep them and keep up the fantasy of winning big.

I'm getting much less than what I'd expect from a savings account and it's making me question why I'm still holding on but it's thought of getting a big win or even a decent win like £500 or £1,000.

Likewise April draw was a disappointing £25 on a holding of just over £43.5K. £200 for the first 4 draws of 2025. A poor start for the year.

See: https://premiumbondsprizes.com/#43500 and the "See more details" linked from there. While the mean return (over a year) with 43,500 is currently 3.80%, the median is 3.28% (half get less than this, half get more). However 25% get less than 2.70%, so you've got to be prepared for lowish returns in the short term.

Of course much depends on your tax situation. For higher rate tax payers a 3.28% tax free return might seem ok, but for non taxpayers it probably seems pretty poor.

Swipe

I've had the max amount in PBs for decades and have only ever had one £500 prize and that was last summer when the prizes were paying more. So banking on a £500 or £1000 win is foolhardy IMO.

slinger2

Currently nearly 99% of the prizes are £25/50/100.

tr7phil

Last year I got 4.74% on my savings and 4.25% on premium bonds and as any more interest would have attracted 20% tax I'm calling that a win.

Darnhall123

I read somewhere that you have more chance of being knocked over by a helicopter than winning the PB million. 

Hope this helps. 

eskbanker

PaulW63 said:

I read somewhere that you have more chance of being knocked over by a helicopter than winning the PB million.

Are there really more than two people knocked over by helicopters every month (on average) in the UK, would have expected something so noteworthy to attract more attention?!

silverwhistle

eskbanker said:

Are there really more than two people knocked over by helicopters every month (on average) in the UK, would have expected something so noteworthy to attract more attention?!

My friend flies them as a hobby and keeps up to date on the accident reports: there was a patient knocked down by down draught at a west country hospital but that's the only one I'm aware of. Helicopted pilots and operators are _very_ safety aware..

Anyway, if I win a big prize I'll pay for my next flight in full!

squarebear99

Maximum holder here.

20 months ago I won just over £5K so started keeping records.

I've been relatively fortunate (£9K in 20 months) but no doubt opening my big trap will end my lucky streak 😆