Author: Helen Barklam

In this article, we help you to find the cheapest online share dealing platforms for buying and holding shares / ETF investments in a general investment account. If you would like to invest in funds, you will need to read our separate comparison of fund platforms as fees do vary by type of investment. Total platform fees often vary depending on how frequently you trade and the overall size of your investment portfolio. As such, we will look to provide a cost comparison across all platforms for regular investors and frequent traders, and for investments totalling £10,000, £20,000, £50,000, £75,000,…

What is an ISA? An Individual Savings Account (ISA) is a type of savings or investment account where you can save or invest entirely tax-free. Each year, the Government sets an ISA allowance which represents the maximum amount you can save or invest via ISA accounts. In the current tax year (2020/21 tax year), the ISA limit is set at £20,000. What are the different types of ISA? There are currently five different types of ISA, four of which are subject to the individual £20,000 ISA allowance and available to adults only (16+). The Junior ISA is subject to its…

This ‘investing in tracker funds and ETFs’ guide starts with the basics of what index trackers are and expands to explain how to index trackers vary and the best online share dealing platforms to purchase tracker funds and ETFs cost-efficiently. What are index tracker investments? Index tracker funds (also known as trackers) and ETFs are investments which attempt to match the performance of a specific investment index. For example, an investment tracker fund or ETF may attempt to match the performance of the FTSE 100, FTSE 250 or S&P 500. You cannot invest directly into the index itself, so the…

This ‘investing in shares online’ guide starts with the basics and expands to explain the various supply and demand drivers which impact share prices and the best online execution share dealing accounts to use for your investments. What are share investments? When you purchase a share, you are acquiring a stake in a business. Company shares can either be private (in which case shares are traded privately and prices are negotiable) or public (in which case the shares are traded on a stock market with prices fluctuating based on supply and demand). Shares are one of two ways in which…

The first thing to consider before embarking on any new investment or savings plan is why are you doing what you are doing. What are your goals? Are they long term or short term? Yes, you want more money. But why do you want it? Why you want money determines what you should do with your money. Do you have a short term goal like buying a new car, going on a fancy holiday or paying for a wedding? Do you have a longer term savings goal, like saving towards a house deposit or university fees for your new born…

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is applicable when purchasing a freehold, leasehold or shared ownership residential property in England. There is no charge when purchasing a main residential property worth less than £125,000. The below stamp duty land tax calculator quickly calculates the amount payable to HMRC when purchasing a property in England which you intend to use as your main residential property. Stamp Duty Land Tax Calculator (main residential properties) Enter Your Property Value Below Stamp Duty Calculation Up to £125,000 £125,000 to £250,000 £250,000 to £925,000 £925,000 to £1,500,000 Over £1,500,000 Total tax payable: {{CODESDLTCalc}} Current Stamp Duty…

Loanpad is a relatively new P2P lending platform, having launched in 2019. However, at the time of writing, it has now attracted over £8.2 million of investor funds. Loanpad is rather unique in the UK P2P market, as it offers investors the opportunity to take a position in the lower risk portion of secured bridging/development loans. This is possible because Loanpad sources all of its loans via an established lending partner that is willing to accept higher risk in return for higher reward. In this Loanpad review, we aim to provide an honest assessment of the risks associated with lending…

The title, “Rich Dad Poor Dad – What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!”, is a classic investment book. In his own unique way, Robert Kiyosaki describes the differing mindsets of the rich and the poor/middle classes. Whilst the book primarily caters to a US audience, the key takeaways can be applied irrespective of geography. The concept of the book is that Robert Kiyosaki has two fathers. His real father was well educated but poor, whereas his second father was a rich, self-made man. Through this narrative, Kiyosaki seeks to explain…

My opinion is that the vast majority of private investors have little hope of outperforming the market by picking their own share portfolio or by investing in managed funds. Those who do manage to beat the market, do so by chance. Why? Consider those individuals who run investment funds, making share purchase/allocation decisions on behalf of the fund. These are intelligent people, who have often graduated from the best universities in the country. They dedicate their working week (and often weekends) to generate the best returns possible for their investors. They have expert knowledge on the workings of equity markets,…