Investing Insiders Empowering Your Financial Future

Investing Insiders is a personal finance platform dedicated to helping you make smarter money decisions. From banking and budgeting to getting started with investing, our team covers a range of topics to help you keep your finances on the right track.

The Investing Insiders website is home to a suite of guides, tools and calculators to help you make smarter decisions with your finances. We also share the latest news to keep you updated on what’s happening in money matters that could affect you.

Great news if you’re ready to invest! Check out our investor persona quiz to give you a better idea of where to start. We also have a roundup of the Best Stocks and Shares ISA accounts and Best Stocks and Shares ISA accounts for beginners.

A Stocks and Shares ISA is an account that lets you invest in things like funds, shares and bonds, while protecting any growth from tax. It’s a popular way to invest for the long term, because you don’t pay tax on any profits or dividends earned within it. That's why it's sometimes known as a 'tax wrapper'.

Combining various old pension pots into one means less admin, and potentially lower costs, so there are benefits. Plus, with a SIPP you can gain greater control over your investments. Moving pensions is not advisable if you have a Defined Benefit (Final Salary) pension, however, and you should also first check out whether you'll incur exit fees or a loss of benefits if you move. But if consolidating is an option for you then there are 3 things to consider: Firstly - fees. How much are you paying, and could you be paying less elsewhere? Secondly - growth. How has your pension performed, and how does that measure up to other funds and providers? Thirdly - does a SIPP work for you? Visit our Best Personal Pensions & SIPPs page for data on fees and performance and our Guide to SIPPs page more information on how SIPPs work and whether they're right for you.

A Stocks & Shares ISA is best for people saving or investing for the long term (usually five years or more) who want the potential for higher growth and are comfortable with their money going up and down in the short term. It’s well suited to goals like long-term wealth building, retirement, or money you won’t need for a while, but it carries risk and isn’t ideal if you’ll need the cash soon. A Cash ISA is best for people who want stability and certainty, especially if they’re saving for the short term or holding an emergency fund. Your money doesn’t fluctuate and is easy to access, which makes it a safer choice for funds needed in the next few years, though returns may be lower and may not always keep up with inflation.