No idea where to invest £200k

[thankyounextplease]

I'm coming into some money but no idea what to do with it. It's too much for an ISA/bank accounts and won't be protected either.

The stock market doesn't look like it's hit the bottom yet so I would still be losing there.

Everyone seems to be getting out of the BTL property market.

Our mortgage is paid off. Might put a bit aside for a garage conversion but nothing else needs doing/can be improved.

I'd rather do something more interesting and short term than pensions that gives me potential access to the money sooner, since I'm several decades off retiring. I'm not against putting it away for 5-10 years, but 30 is too many.

Holidays are paid for this year and next and we don't need to repair or replace anything.

Thoughts? How would you invest £200k?

What are your financial aims? Early retirement, helping kids get started in life, moving in future etc?

You can invest up to £1 million with the NS&I and it's fully protected by HM Treasury. It's also easy access. You can get better rates elsewhere but it's a good starting point if it's just sitting in a no interest account atm.

Crypto 😛

I'll look after it for you

Not heard of that, will take a look. Thanks!

We don't have any goals, I think that's the problem. Peaked too soon 😂

Out of those I'd probably pick early retirement.

Watch rebel finance school on YouTube with the Donegans for info on investing.

Chase High Interest account for half, and Goldman Sachs Marcus account for the rest, and the balance into your cash ISA. Straight from Paul Lewis of BBC's Moneybox programme as written in today's Daily Telegraph.

If you want low risk I would look at premium bonds, NS&I and split across bank accounts. I use Hargreaves Lansdowne Active Savings platform to manage various savings accounts - you may be able to get slightly better rates outsides but makes life a lot easier on admin if you are short on time.

I’d get some financial advice from a qualified financial advisor with that lump sum and map out what your goals are.

Up to £85k will be protected usually per account - so spread across a min of 3 and you'll be fine.

It depends if you want risk free, or to speculate.

If risk free (which it sounds like from your post) look at best rates for instant access savings accounts, or fixed term savers depending whether you're happy to lock up or want the flexibility of withdrawals.

£50k in Premium Bonds won't be your best average/guaranteed rate of return but gives you the thrill every month of a potential £1m win...a bit like 50,000 lottery tickets every month for free.

Stick your max allowance in an ISA each year...so spread your instant access / fixed terms in order to facilitate that. By that I mean stick £20k in one this tax year, have a further £20k withdrawable without penalty for next tax year, and the next and so on.

You might want to consider a portion of if - say £20k or so - to speculate for investment that is not risk free but depends if you want to spend the time?

Personally I'd SPEND some of it and enjoy it - life is short!

The classic car market is on its arse if you want to do something interesting. Tesla stock has also took a hit and is a good buy at the moment. Both come with risks.

If you want safe you can put 1 million in NS&I totally risk free.

I was just about to volunteer myself too 😂

£50k premium bonds
£20k isa allowance as a starting point.
NS&I accounts protect the money so can keep it there until you want to invest.

Assuming there are two of you (you said 'our mortgage'), I'd open an account with Interactive Investor and put 20k each in a stocks and shares ISA (spread across funds e.g Vanguard funds) before 5 April. I'd then put another £20k each in when the tax year changes on 6 April.

So that's now £120k to work out what to do with. Again assuming there are two of you, that's well within the limits of financial protection (£85k each) to park in high interest accounts until you decide what to do.

If we weren't so close to the end of the tax year hence move to ISA asap, I'd have said if for example you are receiving the money from an inheritance up to £1million would be covered as a 'temporary high balance' for 6 months (even in your current account) before it reverted to £85k.

Also any amount saved or invested with NS&I for any length of time. It is backed by the government.

maybe use something like the ns&i and wait till you think the stock market is at a low and then bleed it into index trackers.
For 5-10 years possibly see what index linked gilts there are with those maturity dates - those should be planned to be held to term.

☝This, but then I'd additionally put £50k each into Premium Bonds, which leaves £20k for spending on some fun!

While you decide what to do:
Put £20k into a cash ISA now and another
£20k in a cash ISA after April 6th.

This is because otherwise you will pay tax on the interest.

Put £50k in Premium Bonds: prizes add tax free

Put the remainder in high interest savings accounts, not more than £80k in each account (to leave room for interest to be added). Your money is protected as long as the accounts don’t belong to the same bank.

Research the ISAs and Savings Accounts on MSE. All accounts recommended there are protected.

Meet with 2/3 financial advisers, if you can get some personal recommendations so much the better. Explain your aims and go with the one who you feel best gets you and not necessarily the one forecasting the highest returns. Then leave it alone, don’t panic if things drop just keep your cool.

I would go for a mixed profile of house improvements, pensions, some investment, some low risk. And donation to food banks (or whatever your preferred charity is)

Not per account, per provider...and also beware where a single company owns multiple brands, e.g., Halifax & Bank of Scotland share FSCS protection

I don't understand your logic or reason re isa.

Put 20 into stocks now and 20 after April, 50 into pb.

You don't need this money! Charity!

Or... drop a day a week at work and spend it on having fun on that day for the rest of your working life.

Invest in sustainable helpful nice businesses that will save the people and planet.

Do you have children? Private school?