In Britain, the financial services industry is believed to be worth around £120 billion per year to the economy. It’s a major industry, and many people have a stake in it through their workplace pension or other mainstream product. But when it comes to going above and beyond the standard investment routes and making a significant financial decision with a large amount of cash, professional investment advice is certainly needed. This article will explore exactly where you can find this information.
Independent financial advisers
For many people, heading into the investment world is a difficult decision that requires face-to-face,
professional advice. Perhaps you’re thinking about investing your cash into a buy-to-let property, but you’re not entirely sure how mortgage interest rates work or how they might affect the value of your asset. On the other hand, maybe you want to distribute your money across asset classes, but you can’t quite split up the required proportions on your own. By heading to a regulated and preferably local independent financial advisory (or IFA) armed with all information about your circumstances, you’ll be able to get tailored advice. While this advice might be charged for, it will pay off in the long run as it will mean a reduced risk of falling victim to fraud – and, hopefully, a more profitable investment strategy.
On the internet
As with anything in life, there are always going to be bad apples – and unfortunately, there are some people on the web who would look to sell you dodgy advice, perhaps for their own personal gain or due to their involvement in a fraudulent scheme. But by sticking to online advice providers who are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), it’s possible to get cost-effective advice without having to leave your home. And remember: if you’re looking for a broker, reading reviews – including this DEGIRO review – from those who have used that broker before is a smart move.
Friends and family
Investing can often seem to a newbie like a somewhat esoteric pursuit, and there’s no doubting that only a small number of Brits will have investment portfolios and the knowledge required to maintain them. But you might be surprised to know just how many members of your personal family and social circles are involved in investments. Discreetly asking people you suspect might be investors, especially older people, can pay off, as they are often willing to give the benefit of their accumulated advice for free.
Investing is a scary task, especially if you’re responsible for a large sum of cash that you’re hoping to grow without suffering big losses. But it’s definitely possible to get the advice you need to take sensible decisions – whether that’s from a professional, the web or a personal contact. While it’s always important to remember that advice does not constitute a guarantee of performance, what is guaranteed is that your investment choices will be much more well-informed if you take one of these steps.
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