Thomas Lock

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 believe we face one key issue in our financial lives: uncertainty. Incomes fluctuate; our goals and aspirations are forever being shaped and altered; and our confidence can easily be shaken when, for instance, a tax rule changes or a sudden expense emerges. My proposition is rooted in this philosophy: the only real certainty is that the future is uncertain, but by thinking forward and planning for contingencies we can begin to take hold of the unknown. And that’s where I come in!

I’ll help you look at your situation in clear terms, establish your goals and ambitions and build a plan that works for you in the long term - an antidote for the unknown, alleviating the stress commonly associated with finance.

Outside of financial planning my life revolves around my family, and when I’m not spending time with my wife and son I’m either in the gym, playing football or playing a synthesiser on a stage somewhere.