Saving money can be difficult, particularly in the current financial climate. As such, when you actually have money saved, you want to ensure that it’s working for you. This means that you want your money to be earning you the highest possible level of interest, so it’s worth more when you need it. Here we look at three places that you could save your money.
Savings Accounts
Savings accounts are widely available both on the high street and through banks operating online. They’re popular with most people because they’re convenient. If you get a savings account from the same bank that you have a current account with, transferring funds can be simple, too.
However, just taking out a savings account with the bank you currently bank with can also mean that you’re not fully benefitting and, as a result, you should shop around. Just because you’ve banked with someone for ten years plus doesn’t mean that you’ll get the best rate, so compare options up and down the high street.
The other downside to savings accounts is that, although you’ll gain interest, it may not be as high as through other options. However, they are a great risk free option.
Investments
Investments, either in property or stocks and shares can provide you with great returns. However, unlike savings accounts, there’s an element of risk too.
Although the value of property, for example, has risen rapidly over the past decade, prices also go down like they did in the last financial crash. This could lead to you losing some (or even all) of the money that you invested.
As well as the risk associated, investments can also be hard work. You have to constantly monitor any investment in stocks and shares and houses often need repair work. So, although returns on investments can be very high, be sure to fully research the downsides and ensure you can commit to monitoring.
Premium Bonds
Nearly half of the UK has premium bonds. Premium bonds are a savings account you put money into where the interest paid is decided by a monthly prize draw. Generally, people can win between £25 and £1,000,000 tax free. Every £1 you have represents a bond, and each individual bond is then entered into a prize draw. The more bonds you have, the higher your chances are of winning.
Premium bonds are great because they’re completely safe and there’s no risk. However, your chances of winning the £1,000,000 is 29.2 billion to one. Generally, people win less than they would through interest – but you have to be in it to win it.
To conclude, there are a number of places you can put your money, and all have different levels of risk. Ensure you do your research before investing.
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