James Marston

When is the right time to invest?

There’s always a degree of uncertainty when it comes to investing, so it’s natural for some people to feel nervous about it.

When the news is reporting stock market volatility, it’s understandable that some people might feel more cautious about investing. But including investments in your long-term financial plan is a smart way to give your money the best chance to grow.

Keeping money in cash might feel like a safe option, and having some money easily available is a sensible decision. But too much cash could end up costing you more because of inflation’s ability to eat away at the value of your savings. For example, when £10,000 is invested it can grow by 78% over 30 years, but if it was kept in a current account its value could actually reduce by 59%*.

There are lots of options when it comes to investing, and I’m here to guide you through them. I can help you decide things like which risk level is right for you, what types of investments to use to maximise your tax efficiency, and how to create an investment plan tailored to your circumstances and goals. I can also show you how different investment approaches could impact your finances over the long term.

If you’re thinking about how investing today can help create the life you want in the future, let’s talk about how I can support and guide you through the process.

The value of investments and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change

*Based on an annual average investment return of 5% and inflation at 3%.

I specialise in Medics, mostly because I married one, so I know the joys of medical staffing, rota’s, the trust, the deanery, locum work, private practise and the complexity of financial planning for doctors. I help you to understand your NHS pension, the NHS car scheme, tax traps for consultants and GPs, private work through a limited company and how to plan your financial future with all of this complexity.

My style of financial advice starts with education. I want you to understand the potential courses of action and the consequences. Then together, we can make an informed decision about what to do.

Outside of work I am a father and a husband which keeps me busy! In my free time, I love walking the dog, swimming and the occasional pub visit on a Sunday afternoon. 

I'm based in Leamington Spa but the majority of my meetings are done on Microsoft Teams, I'm happy to do evening appointments after 7:30 once my kids are in bed! I'm always happy to chat with no obligation so send me an email or give me a call if you need some help with your family financial planning.

I’m a contributor to BBC Radio 4, The Times, The Telegraph & a Parliamentary Select Committee on Financial Education. Full details in my LinkedIn Bio.