Savings/investments - what do you do with yours

[goats]

If no decent houses or flats become available soon I might have a look into Wealthify or st James place, both based in Cardiff too

[jon1959]

If no decent houses or flats become available soon I might have a look into Wealthify or st James place, both based in Cardiff too

Just based on on personal experience - avoid St James' Place. My old mam and my brother (and partner) use them. I don't.

I'm not sure where they are based as they rely on self employed IFAs from all over the country, but my understanding is that they are tied to a small number of 'super inverstors' (like Neil Woodford) and their returns are very poor compared to some of their competitors. I have certainly seen that over the past 5 years. I and my partner use Birchwood to invest our savings, and we have had a much better return than my mother and brother. I am very uncomfortable with most of this stuff - but given the alternatives of a sock under the bed, a 0% savings account, or a low risk investment portfolio (wrapper) we went for the last one.

In practice that meant the capital grew a small amount (in cash terms) and we had 5 years of a regular draw-down income on top to supplement the occupational pension.

[goats]

Just based on on personal experience - avoid St James' Place. My old mam and my brother (and partner) use them. I don't.

I'm not sure where they are based as they rely on self employed IFAs from all over the country, but my understanding is that they are tied to a small number of 'super inverstors' (like Neil Woodford) and their returns are very poor compared to some of their competitors. I have certainly seen that over the past 5 years. I and my partner use Birchwood to invest our savings, and we have had a much better return than my mother and brother. I am very uncomfortable with most of this stuff - but given the alternatives of a sock under the bed, a 0% savings account, or a low risk investment portfolio (wrapper) we went for the last one.

In practice that meant the capital grew a small amount (in cash terms) and we had 5 years of a regular draw-down income on top to supplement the occupational pension.

Thanks for the tip. A guy I know gave me some conflicting advice on them it would seem. I’m not comfortable with these people playing with our hard earned either, but like you say not much alternative. I have a nose at birch wood.

[Bluebina]

Thanks for the tip. A guy I know gave me some conflicting advice on them it would seem. I’m not comfortable with these people playing with our hard earned either, but like you say not much alternative. I have a nose at birch wood.

St James Place arent IFA's, they are multi-tied advisors, so not truly independent!

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2017/07...rs-on-charges/

[delmbox]

If no decent houses or flats become available soon I might have a look into Wealthify or st James place, both based in Cardiff too

I've put a bit of money into Wealthify now. Not all my savings though

[goats]

I've put a bit of money into Wealthify now. Not all my savings though

How’s it doing if you don’t mind me asking?

[delmbox]

How’s it doing if you don’t mind me asking?

I only put it in Tuesday and it hasn't reached the account yet so I'd describe it as "steady"