How to invest £30k lump sum
How to invest £30k lump sum
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Discussion

lynden11

Original Poster:

52 posts

134 months

Friday 19th June 2020
quotequote all
All,

Not me unfortunately but family member has found themselves in the fortunate position of having £30k sitting in their current account and no idea how best to invest it.

Whilst it could be locked away for years it would be good for them to know they could access it if their situation changes ie loss of main income. Giving up the £30k would leave them with enough of a fund for say 6 months no income.

Their mortgage is relatively small (<£100k) and rate on it is <2% so they're looking for other ways to make the money work for them.

Any financial experts able to give some advice?

bitchstewie

67,479 posts

239 months

Friday 19th June 2020
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If they need the safety net of the money being there in its entirety at little to no notice that limits what you could do with it IMO.

So for example if you put £30K into equities you could go back in six months needing £30K and find you only have £20K or you might have £35K because the risks and rewards are higher.

If you put money into a cautious investment fund you have less risk which means less reward so your £30K might be £31K or £28K to use some examples.

I'd focus on understanding where your/their risk/reward appetite is around what you need and what you can stomach.

jamoor

14,506 posts

244 months

Friday 19th June 2020
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Don't forget you can mix it up, some high risk some low risk thereby reducing your exposure.

anonymous-user

83 months

Friday 19th June 2020
quotequote all
lynden11 said:
£30k sitting in their current account

Their mortgage is relatively small (<£100k) and rate on it is <2%
Yes, but how old are they, how long does the mortgage have to run and what is their top rate of income tax? All of these things need to be considered together. For instance,

2% of £30k is £600

2% of £30k for 10 years is £6,000 yikes

Thin White Duke

2,422 posts

189 months

Friday 19th June 2020
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Premium Bonds might be a good place for low risk, easy access, safety and the chance of winning a million.

Dixy

3,646 posts

234 months

Saturday 20th June 2020
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Ask them if they would consider increasing their mortgage by £30k to buy any investment, when they say don't be silly then the answer is reduce your mortgage.

PorkInsider

6,585 posts

170 months

Saturday 20th June 2020
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Dixy said:
Ask them if they would consider increasing their mortgage by £30k to buy any investment, when they say don't be silly then the answer is reduce your mortgage.
I'm no financial expert but I agree with this.

If they're not wanting to put the money at risk with an investment that has higher potential, then they're not going to be putting the money anywhere that will do as well as the interest they'd save by paying some off the mortgage.

JulianPH

10,084 posts

143 months

Saturday 20th June 2020
quotequote all
PorkInsider said:
I'm no financial expert but I agree with this.

If they're not wanting to put the money at risk with an investment that has higher potential, then they're not going to be putting the money anywhere that will do as well as the interest they'd save by paying some off the mortgage.
clap

Exactly!


LeadFarmer

7,411 posts

160 months

Saturday 20th June 2020
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I'd always look at reducing any debt before investing. Interest on debt is normally higher than on investments, unless you chance it on things like the stock market.

chrishumes1978

98 posts

163 months

Saturday 20th June 2020
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A few decent answers there which certainly make me think! Do they know about the stock and shares gamble thread? &#128513;

GT03ROB

14,023 posts

250 months

Saturday 20th June 2020
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Dixy said:
Ask them if they would consider increasing their mortgage by £30k to buy any investment, when they say don't be silly then the answer is reduce your mortgage.
Brilliant. If you are not a financial advisor you should be!

LeadFarmer

7,411 posts

160 months

Saturday 20th June 2020
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Really?
Whats shocking about reducing a mortgage?

Drawweight

3,596 posts

145 months

Sunday 21st June 2020
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The OP says they are obviously concerned about losing their main income so need the money readily available.

That discounts paying off the mortgage.

I’ve got roughly that amount sitting in premium bonds and in the past 12 months it’s made 2%

Not a fantastic return but it’s safe and I can get to it anytime I want.

bitchstewie

67,479 posts

239 months

Sunday 21st June 2020
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Drawweight said:
The OP says they are obviously concerned about losing their main income so need the money readily available.

That discounts paying off the mortgage.

I’ve got roughly that amount sitting in premium bonds and in the past 12 months it’s made 2%

Not a fantastic return but it’s safe and I can get to it anytime I want.
That was why I went the direction I did.

Unfortunately on £30K you will make fk all with traditional savings products as you know frown

anonymous-user

83 months

Sunday 21st June 2020
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Advice. Sorry to be that person. I agree with you though. Keep some or all the money accessible.

Dixy

3,646 posts

234 months

Sunday 21st June 2020
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
So if this advice is so shocking perhaps you would care to advise rather than criticise.



JulianPH

10,084 posts

143 months

Sunday 21st June 2020
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OP - Perhaps they may want to look at a defensive bond based fund that can offer higher returns than cash without the risks of the stock markets.

Alternatively, they could speak to Sarnie about moving to an offset mortgage whereby they could deposit the money there to save on mortgage payments, but always have access to it should they need it.

As they have a six month emergency buffer already in place this may not ever be required.

smile

Oilchange

9,703 posts

289 months

Sunday 21st June 2020
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Bearing in mind this was a windfall and not planned money, it would make no difference to them if they paid down the mortgage with it all.

Maybe keep a couple of thousand for a rainy day but money in/money out and they wouldn't even notice it. Except for the reduced mortgage payments and the warm feeling of being closer to being mortgage free.

I'd pay the lot into the mortgage and not have to worry about making a stupid decision 'investing' it or indeed listening to people tell me how best to spend my money.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

227 months

Sunday 21st June 2020
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I’d not be rushing to do anything with it with the exception of Premium Bonds.

Safest and getting cash out then Premium bonds worry free. You could drop the lot on there for now.

Let’s see how the next 3/6 months play out. I’d certainly not be doing/investing the cash until furlough is removed entirely (currently end of Oct).



The other thing is and it’s clearly not good if everyone does this but only buy the basics build up those reserves we don’t know if this is going to be bad really bad horrific cataclysmic. That said if you’ve a say worn out mattress currently keep your eyes peeled as you may find some incredible bargains in which case that “investment”/required purchase is sensible.

Do you have any non mortgage debt that is high Apr%?
I wouldn’t use the £30k to clear it instead I’d be taking out new debt at the lowest possible Apr they can achieve to then clear the high APR%

PorkInsider

6,585 posts

170 months

Monday 22nd June 2020
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Been thinking about this one again.

It's 'free money' so this person is no worse off if they lost the lot, are they?

Stick it all on black.

If they win, they can pay some of the mortgage off AND put £30k in savings, premium bonds, or whatever.

There is no flaw in this plan whatsoever; there is no losing outcome.

Thank me later, guys.

smokin