If I brought say £20000.00 of premium bonds should I buy them in one go and have consecutive numbers or is it worth spreading it out does it make any difference
If I brought say £20000.00 of premium bonds should I buy them in one go and have consecutive numbers or is it worth spreading it out does it make any difference
Shouldn’t make a difference in theory but you have for some reason a better chance of winning if you bought a large chunk of bonds.
Credit where it's due to a bank, even if it isn't even strictly an S&I issue. The HSBC Global Money account, an add-on for existing current account holders which I've already mentioned is bloody excellent. It allows you to transfer between currencies at near mid-market price, slightly worse than Wise, but without any additional fee, which Wise does charge, and which they recently increased. What's more it allows you a lot of different currencies, I think 14 at any one time. Which is perfect for my trip next week which takes me briefly into Scandi-land, with their pesky insistence on different currencies even though they are economically almost joined at the hip. I will just need to load up enough Danish kroners for refreshments, and enough Swedish kroners for my hotel and night out, and will pay with the debit card that comes with it. Anything unused, I'll just transfer back into Czech crowns or GBP or euros as needed. It's perfect. It is what I have long dreamed of.
Now, if they really want to close Revolut down (before the authorities do) they should extend the account by offering interest bearing deposits on some of those currencies, especially the euro. Revolut does apparently, but you have to pay a subscrption fee for that account. More importantly no one should let Revolut hold on to any of their cash longer than for an instant FX transfer. There were two more highly ominous FT articles in the last two weeks, here and here.
I realise of course that not everyone will need such an account, although maybe more than some think. I think if I was still a UK resident and expecting more than one trip a year abroad, I'd want this. Anyway, hats off to HSBC. Terrific innovation
Credit due to Nationwide for passing on £100 from increased profits to its customers/members. They have also been giving a small percentage refund on supermarket shopping to those using a nationwide debit card in recent months.
Credit due to Nationwide for passing on £100 from increased profits to its customers/members. They have also been giving a small percentage refund on supermarket shopping to those using a nationwide debit card in recent months.
The whole family banks with Nationwide and has done for years so we're all cheery today. I expect my bit will go to sustain the British brewing industry.
Doesn't look like bottom fishing is going to work. I think I'll go down the pub.
What do you make of the market? I've largely stayed on the sidelines in the last few months, instead wrapping myself in the comfort blanket of high interest savings accounts, and seeking to reduce my weighting of the notorious Vanguard LS 20.
I do however feel slightly vindicated by my faith in European equities, a most unfashionable stance in the UK. I've bought a couple of chunks of Volvo Trucks, on the grounds that trucks remain very much with us, no matter how much we hate them on motorways, and Volvo are at the forefront of hydrogen power for them. Martin Sandbu in the FT today has a good insight into why it wasn't so daft to believe in the resilience of the European economy after war broke out.
Doesn't look like bottom fishing is going to work. I think I'll go down the pub.
What do you make of the market? I've largely stayed on the sidelines in the last few months, instead wrapping myself in the comfort blanket of high interest savings accounts, and seeking to reduce my weighting of the notorious Vanguard LS 20.
I do however feel slightly vindicated by my faith in European equities, a most unfashionable stance in the UK. I've bought a couple of chunks of Volvo Trucks, on the grounds that trucks remain very much with us, no matter how much we hate them on motorways, and Volvo are at the forefront of hydrogen power for them. Martin Sandbu in the FT today has a good insight into why it wasn't so daft to believe in the resilience of the European economy after war broke out.
I think you've been very wise and probably haven't missed much. I reckon there's still some volatility to come and one more leg of the bear market is not out of the question. It worries me that the US market has priced in rate reductions way too early and there will be a correction at some point.
But I'm almost entirely fully invested again, having gone to about 20% cash a couple of months back (earning 4.58% in my new Interactive Brokers account). Half of that is hedging - stocks like Begbies (administration) and Mano (litigation), long volatility and short NASDAQ - latter two suffering a bit right now but is really a bet on the debt ceiling issue going on longer than people would like.
But otherwise I'm just being very choosey about what I buy - low PE, decent cash conversion and return on capital, low debts and trying to be patient! Rolls Royce, Spoons, LSEG, Money Supermarket and Trainline are exceptions to some of those rules rule but I think have secular tailwinds - I think the worst is behind them now and they've done really well the last few months. I reckon Paypoint will be the next to join that list - just can't understand why it's so undervalued.
I reduced my exposure to US tech and that has saved me some money, even with the more recent surge, but will get back in to stalwarts like Microsoft once I'm convinced we're not going to get another leg down. I'm still doing very well going in and out of AMAT - I reckon they're the best US-based chip company and will benefit from re-shoring.
Still mostly avoiding China exposure but even the rest of South East Asia in case Taiwan kicks off.
Considering Brazil - they were first into rate rises, so should be first out. And the yields are phenomenal.
As for Europe, I bought a fairly chunky position in Porsche (PAH3D) shares which look ludicrously cheap at a PE of 3 (it's not just Porsche, it's also a fairly big chunk of VW). It also has a well-covered yield of 6% that at least pays for servicing my car! It's a bit risky - the German market will follow the US market if it goes down, cash conversion is heading in the wrong direction and they're very exposed to China.
Doesn't look like bottom fishing is going to work. I think I'll go down the pub.
What do you make of the market? I've largely stayed on the sidelines in the last few months, instead wrapping myself in the comfort blanket of high interest savings accounts, and seeking to reduce my weighting of the notorious Vanguard LS 20.
I do however feel slightly vindicated by my faith in European equities, a most unfashionable stance in the UK. I've bought a couple of chunks of Volvo Trucks, on the grounds that trucks remain very much with us, no matter how much we hate them on motorways, and Volvo are at the forefront of hydrogen power for them. Martin Sandbu in the FT today has a good insight into why it wasn't so daft to believe in the resilience of the European economy after war broke out.
I think you've been very wise and probably haven't missed much. I reckon there's still some volatility to come and one more leg of the bear market is not out of the question. It worries me that the US market has priced in rate reductions way too early and there will be a correction at some point.
But I'm almost entirely fully invested again, having gone to about 20% cash a couple of months back (earning 4.58% in my new Interactive Brokers account). Half of that is hedging - stocks like Begbies (administration) and Mano (litigation), long volatility and short NASDAQ - latter two suffering a bit right now but is really a bet on the debt ceiling issue going on longer than people would like.
But otherwise I'm just being very choosey about what I buy - low PE, decent cash conversion and return on capital, low debts and trying to be patient! Rolls Royce, Spoons, LSEG, Money Supermarket and Trainline are exceptions to some of those rules rule but I think have secular tailwinds - I think the worst is behind them now and they've done really well the last few months. I reckon Paypoint will be the next to join that list - just can't understand why it's so undervalued.
I reduced my exposure to US tech and that has saved me some money, even with the more recent surge, but will get back in to stalwarts like Microsoft once I'm convinced we're not going to get another leg down. I'm still doing very well going in and out of AMAT - I reckon they're the best US-based chip company and will benefit from re-shoring.
Still mostly avoiding China exposure but even the rest of South East Asia in case Taiwan kicks off.
Considering Brazil - they were first into rate rises, so should be first out. And the yields are phenomenal.
As for Europe, I bought a fairly chunky position in Porsche (PAH3D) shares which look ludicrously cheap at a PE of 3 (it's not just Porsche, it's also a fairly big chunk of VW). It also has a well-covered yield of 6% that at least pays for servicing my car! It's a bit risky - the German market will follow the US market if it goes down, cash conversion is heading in the wrong direction and they're very exposed to China.
Why are you still mostly avoiding China and what would most likely change your avoidance?
@WishIdStayedinthePub Trainline, eh? Didn’t know or even suspect they are publicly quoted. That would fit my simplistic “money where my mouth is” approach…
I have a holding of Fidelity Global Special Situations. Looking to split the holding up into other global funds. Any funds I should be looking at?
Problem with global funds is that if they want to measure against a benchmark then they will usually invest heavily in the US (seeing as the MSCI World Index is 60%+ in US equities) and therefore you are putting a lot of money in just 1 country.
Jan Nil Feb 100 Mar. 150 Apr. 200 May. Nil Jun. 25.
It will be interesting (to me at least ) how this will compare at the end of the year to the interest rates on savings that we're available at the start of the year.
My lad works for NHS and they have a salary sacrifice car leasing scheme. Not sure how this works or affects his pension long term does anybody use this scheme or know how it works. Maybe our pension expert golfie
He gets a new Tesla for 3 years with everything covered except paying for electric. So it’s insured any thing breaks or needs new tyres it’s covered for 3 years he is going to pay £330 a month but has a reduction of £70 in nic £103 in Tax £72 in pension so his worried about money coming out his pension so his thinking can he top his NHS pension up or invest in a private pension to make up what his losing.
Not sure how this works really has anyone else used this scheme or knows how it works.
He'd need to check the NHS's specific scheme but I think you are saying that he is paying £72 less into pension? That being the case then it looks as if the car purchase by salary sacrifice is lowering his salary (the whole point of salary sacrifice) and therefore it could well have an effect on the pension.
I.e. say he earns £50k, if he's salary sacrificing £4k a year for the car his new salary is £46k.
We have a similar scheme at work, it's a cost effective way of buying a new, electric car, although as our pensions are money purchase it makes no difference really, you can chose what you pay in.
Our son has been left a few £ in my mums will. Any suggestions of the best place for it to sit for 15 years ?. I'm thinking PBs, If my stepdad gets his way itl sit in a bank account and do nothing, any info is very much appreciated 🙌
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Now, if they really want to close Revolut down (before the authorities do) they should extend the account by offering interest bearing deposits on some of those currencies, especially the euro. Revolut does apparently, but you have to pay a subscrption fee for that account. More importantly no one should let Revolut hold on to any of their cash longer than for an instant FX transfer. There were two more highly ominous FT articles in the last two weeks, here and here.
I realise of course that not everyone will need such an account, although maybe more than some think. I think if I was still a UK resident and expecting more than one trip a year abroad, I'd want this. Anyway, hats off to HSBC. Terrific innovation
I do however feel slightly vindicated by my faith in European equities, a most unfashionable stance in the UK. I've bought a couple of chunks of Volvo Trucks, on the grounds that trucks remain very much with us, no matter how much we hate them on motorways, and Volvo are at the forefront of hydrogen power for them. Martin Sandbu in the FT today has a good insight into why it wasn't so daft to believe in the resilience of the European economy after war broke out.
Second is FTSE Developed Europe UCITS ETF (VEUR), up 17.34%
Closest after that is a Japan fund up nearly 15% followed by a FTSE100 fund up 12.43%.
But I'm almost entirely fully invested again, having gone to about 20% cash a couple of months back (earning 4.58% in my new Interactive Brokers account). Half of that is hedging - stocks like Begbies (administration) and Mano (litigation), long volatility and short NASDAQ - latter two suffering a bit right now but is really a bet on the debt ceiling issue going on longer than people would like.
But otherwise I'm just being very choosey about what I buy - low PE, decent cash conversion and return on capital, low debts and trying to be patient! Rolls Royce, Spoons, LSEG, Money Supermarket and Trainline are exceptions to some of those rules rule but I think have secular tailwinds - I think the worst is behind them now and they've done really well the last few months. I reckon Paypoint will be the next to join that list - just can't understand why it's so undervalued.
I reduced my exposure to US tech and that has saved me some money, even with the more recent surge, but will get back in to stalwarts like Microsoft once I'm convinced we're not going to get another leg down. I'm still doing very well going in and out of AMAT - I reckon they're the best US-based chip company and will benefit from re-shoring.
Still mostly avoiding China exposure but even the rest of South East Asia in case Taiwan kicks off.
Considering Brazil - they were first into rate rises, so should be first out. And the yields are phenomenal.
As for Europe, I bought a fairly chunky position in Porsche (PAH3D) shares which look ludicrously cheap at a PE of 3 (it's not just Porsche, it's also a fairly big chunk of VW). It also has a well-covered yield of 6% that at least pays for servicing my car! It's a bit risky - the German market will follow the US market if it goes down, cash conversion is heading in the wrong direction and they're very exposed to China.
Blank for me, £100 for Mrs R7L and £250 for youngest, eldest has now sold all hers. Father in law on a cruise so don't know his yet.
Not a bad return
Had this last month & it took until mid morning before mine updated.
Grrrr.
I've got £22k in premium bonds.
So far this year.
Jan Nil
Feb 100
Mar. 150
Apr. 200
May. Nil
Jun. 25.
It will be interesting (to me at least ) how this will compare at the end of the year to the interest rates on savings that we're available at the start of the year.
I.e. say he earns £50k, if he's salary sacrificing £4k a year for the car his new salary is £46k.
We have a similar scheme at work, it's a cost effective way of buying a new, electric car, although as our pensions are money purchase it makes no difference really, you can chose what you pay in.