Matthew Byrne

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 take pride in helping my clients understand their options and putting them in an informed position to make the best decisions. I provide a holistic planning service, reviewing your needs and goals for your pensions and retirement planning, investment and wealth management, as well as protection and estate planning. I will take the time to fully understand your circumstances and needs, and get a real feeling of what is important to you in order to provide the best, personalised advice for you.

Before becoming a financial planner I worked in technology for over 10 years within the Financial Services Industry. I’m originally from Skipton in North Yorkshire. My career brought me to Edinburgh in 2018 and I’ve been settled here ever since. I travel back home regularly and work with clients in North Yorkshire as well as Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. The thing that brings me most joy in my work is helping people, and that’s why I love my role as a Financial Planning Consultant. My work gives me the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives and help my clients achieve goals they didn’t think were possible.

Outside of work I enjoy staying active through playing football, running, and going to the gym. I have a love for sports in general and will watch anyone chase a ball of any shape around a field! I have a passion for cars and enjoy road trips with my partner exploring the remote parts of Scotland. I‘m also partial to a bit of fine dining, and love planning city breaks in Europe.