One way your investment goals may be established is by assessing how much of the capital you plan to invest is tied to specific future spending, and how much of it is genuinely spare. You may do this by completing the following steps:
Prepare a personal profit and loss account by setting out your income and expenditure, together with your current investments and liabilities.
Your basic investment goals should include emergency funds, repayment of your mortgage, your pension, and any other priorities, for example school fees.
Your goals - whether to generate income, capital growth, or a combination of the two - will dictate the proportion of capital you should invest in each asset class (for example, equities, bonds, gilts and deposits).
Once you have considered your asset allocation, look at the range of direct investments, mutual funds and savings products which may help you achieve your aims.
Consider how tax planning and tax efficient investment can help improve your returns and reduce your tax bill - but never invest purely for the sake of obtaining tax relief.
Book offers!
