Ask your questions about savings and investments – chance to win a £150 voucher ANSWERS NOW BACK

[JustineBMumsnet]

The world of savings and investments can often be full of jargon and confusion, leaving you with a headache and feeling unsure what to do. So, whether you have questions about your pension or you’re confused about how and when you should invest money for your children, leave your questions for Lisa Caplan – the Head of Financial Advice at Nutmeg – below.

Here’s what Nutmeg have to say: “Nutmeg is the UK’s leading online investment manager, giving you all the best elements of a traditional wealth manager but delivered completely online and for a fraction of the cost. With Nutmeg, you choose how much risk you want to take, and we’ll build you a portfolio which is globally diversified and fully managed by our expert team. You can start with just £500, and make monthly contributions of just £100 to invest in your family’s future. Lisa leads financial advice at Nutmeg – she’s building the company’s automated advice service to help customers make the right decisions about their finances. Before she joined Nutmeg, Lisa worked at Towry for eight years, helping people make financial decisions and plan for the future. She is a chartered financial planner.”

Post your questions on savings and investments to Lisa below by the 17th October 2016 and we will send over 20 questions for her to respond to. We will then post a link to her responses on the thread ASAP.

If you’re interested in trying out Nutmeg, they have an offer where you can get 3 months without fees.

All those who leave a question below (regardless of whether it’s answered or not) will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £150 voucher from a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks, and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[vickyors]

I used to have a share dealing account, but felt I wasn't able to read the markets, even with the couple of companies I had shares with, so we took out the money and invested elsewhere. How would one start to have a share dealing portfolio if they are a beginner?

[InMySpareTime]

How do you communicate to parents of young children about risk profiling for long term investment?
I have invested for my DCs since they were young, and should probably (with hindsight) have taken more risks as long term any losses are evened out and gains tend to be higher.

[childmaintenanceserviceinquiry]

What investments would you recommend for a non-earning individual (ie non tax payer), after full contributions to a stakeholder pension have been made for the tax year?

[nannynick]

I have no experience with stocks/shares investing but I am very disappointed with BoE's current policy of dropping interest rates to rock bottom causing my rate on savings to plummet.

With £5,000-£10,000 to invest for 5-10 years, is sticking with ISA (I am NOT a higher rate tax payer), paying into my pension or investing in stocks/shares best? If it makes a difference I have 6 months salary on short term deposit (interest paying current account and standard savings account) so can take some risk but I would rather like to get back at least what I put in - is a mixed risk portfolio possible given this level of investment?

[Sammyislost]

When my eldest was born, he was eligible for the Child Trust Fund. I haven't changed where it is since he was born 6 years ago, should i? I've heard you can turn it into an ISA now?

[CMOTDibbler]

What sort of risk profile is best when investing for a child? I'm naturally very cautious, but of course that leads to very low returns currently

[foxessocks]

Best investment advice for two young children when we only have a small amount to put aside each month?

[purplepandas]

Best way to save for small dc to ensure they can't access themselves and blow it.

[redbook]

What advice would you give about the future of trust funds and how to go about setting one up?

[mummymummums]

We have some cash from a redundancy - under £10k - might need to use it, but might not. For now I've stuck it in a cash ISA and am drip feeding it at the max of £400 a month to a monthly saver that pays 3% for 12 months. Any thoughts about another way to earn better interest on a short term basis where I can still access it if needed please?

[lionheart]

What is a good alternative to an ISA for a longer term investment?

[sharond101]

What is the safest way to save for the future?

[Blu]

I am 'contracted out'. Does this mean I will only get the most basic pension from the state?

[Theimpossiblegirl]

Is it better to save or to overpay on the mortgage?

[CopperPan]

Is it better to save for a child in an ISA in their own name or should I just add savings for them to my own ISA?

[lottietiger]

If I have several separate pensions due to changing jobs how can I quickly and easily work out what return I will get and wether I need to add more into my pension pot. If I do is it best to carry on paying in or invest in property?

[BelOfTheBall79]

I've got a 3 month old baby and interested to know how best to set him up for financial ease in the future. What's the best approach to saving for him, how do we avoid his savings getting taxed and can we keep his money locked away to make sure it doesn't all get spent at a bar once he his 18?

[LittleMoonbuggy]

What's the shortest time period you would recommend investing in the stock market, rather than playing safe with cash savings?

[AliciaMayEmory]

We have our family home in the UK that has no mortgage and a property in the US that we have a mortgage on. We are thinking of selling our US property. Would it be best to use the money from the sale to pay off the remaining mortgage, or invest it elsewhere?

[Gazelda]

Various family members have invested for DD (grandparents, great-grandparents as well as us) in a variety of products. How do we best avoid DD blowing it all as soon as she comes of age (apart from good money education from her parents, obv)? Is there any way to protect it or prevent her from getting it all at once?

[forkhandles4candles]

Is it financially more prudent to play off a mortgage or to invest in stocks? And does anyone have a crystal ball, as it seems to me there are very rocky times ahead?

[Scottishthreeberry16]

If someone gifts me a large sum of money (£7000, eg), where is the best place to put it for maximum return?

[LifeIsGoodish]

Is it actually possible to invest ethically? How can one guarantee that there are no arms/diamonds/gold/countries with poor human rights etc anywhere in the chain of buyers and sellers?

[starlight36]

As a SAHM would you recommend it is generally better to continue to add to my pension pot (I previously worked for 18 years) or invest regular amounts in savings instead.

[Blu]

Can I add to my question below?
"I am 'contracted out'. Does this mean I will only get the most basic pension from the state?"
and
Should I remain contracted out? I will be working for about another 9 years before I reach state pension age.