Give me your thoughts on the premium bonds if you have the full amount please.

[twiddlingthumbs69]

Are you winning something per month, even if it’s £25 or are you going several months without winning anything?

I had the full amount years ago and I could pretty much guarantee winning something per month but I know they’ve changed. Thinking of putting £50k in. I’m not expecting a huge win but would like to think I’ll get something.

I don't have anywhere near the full amount (although still a five figure sum) and I win something most months. But maybe I'm just lucky!

Both me and DH have full holdings. Between us, we win something every month. In June I was fortunate to win £10,000! Since Jan I have won £10,500 and DH £800.

There's is an ongoing thread about winnings etc on money matters.

This is a link to last month's, you can get a good idea of the general distribution of winnings.

I no longer have the full holding but when I did I won every month and usually more than the minimum. Interest rates are now much higher but I may still look to top my Premium Bonds back up. With a much reduced £9k holding I seem to win £25 every 3 months so nowhere near as good a deal.

I have the full amount and win something most months. My best month was £350 in total prizes. I don’t recommend putting all or most of your savings in there as the returns aren’t great from what I move seen on here and my own experience. But it’s the possibility of a big win that stops me from withdrawing…

Have you maxed out ISAs for the year? Are you a higher rate tax payer? A basic cash ISA paying 4% will give you a guaranteed 2k a year in interest. A S&S ISA could easily be double that return.
Even with full holdings you can go months between winning sometimes.

I win a little something most months , but accept it’s probably a poor deal

Full holdings - win something most months, most I’ve ever won in one go was about £450

We both had FH and for years were both winning every month, significant amounts and were very happy.
12-Months ago it was like someone flicked a switch and we had zero wins for several months, it picked up a bit in Oct/Nov but by then my OH had had enough and bailed putting £40k into ISA's (£20k in each of our names) and the remainder into savings.
Since then, my FH have provided modest returns (£150, £100 etc) but nothing like what they were.☹️

Dh and I have full holding and win every month (most months we both win). Largest win £5k.

To answer your question I would max out ISA first.

I had full holdings for around seven months, it isn't worth it. I calculated the return to be around 2.5% per year. Yes, there is the chance of a big win, but the odds are very low. On average you're likely to make much more in fixed interest savings account.

I keeping a running tally of the wins and the equivalent interest rate. I’m currently running at 4.5% which is just acceptable. Obviously hoping for a decent win though

Thanks all for your advice. I have maxed out on ISA so will put in PB and cross fingers

That's quite correct but if you are a higher rate tax payer you can earn sod all interest before it gets taxed that is the challenge. Premium bonds is tax free. We have £150k so full holding me husband and daughter and we win most months - £650 between us this month so that's more than £1k we'd need to earn if you take the tax into account (which i do to make it seem more!)

I have full holdings and win 11 months out of 12. Usually works out 3% per annum. Appreciate the £50k isn’t worth today what it was 10 years ago, but sentimental value and the excitement of what if keep me going.

FH. I don't always win each month, but I have had a couple of 5ks in the last 2 years. My mum had FH and actually won 100k last year. My dad has FH and generally wins a few hundred every month but had never had a biggie.

I have almost full holdings, I may top up to full this month if I remember.

Since January I've won £950 and in past two years, only had two months with nothing.

I like the dream each month of maybe winning big so am ok to leave the money in premium bonds at least for the time being.

Some months I win nothing. Most months it can be anywhere between £25 - £250.

I only have the full £50k as I pay tax on savings. Otherwise, I'd put it in a savings account or something.

Both us and both DCs all have full
holdings and we all win every month. None of us have ever won big (I think the biggest was £600-odd) but I did the calculation and we are all pretty much bang on the expected 4% payout. Which is, statistically, pretty much guaranteed.

We both have the full amount and there's only been 2 months in the last 5 years that neither of us have won. We have won between £25 and £2,000, but it averages out around £100 each per month.

Also have the full amount, probably win between 100-250 most months but agree with the others - better ways to earn more money. I just cant be bothered to look into it!

The chance of not winning anything in a given month on full holdings is about 1/10.

My husband and I have full holdings. Our annual return rate over the last year was 2.45% and I will be moving it into S&S Isas over the next three years.

Full holding. £100 + every month.