It's important you feel confident about your financial decisions. So, we've put together some useful information to help you understand what investing is, the risks involved and how to get started.
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How to start investing?
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01
What is investing?
Investing means putting any spare money in to investments with the expectation of generating a potential profit or income over the long term (5 years or more).
You can invest your money in a range of different investments which are sometimes referred to as asset classes. These include:
- cash
- property
- bonds or,
- shares.
Stocks and shares ISA
Investments held in a Stocks and Shares ISA means you don’t need to pay UK Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax on any investment growth.
*Tax relief information
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02
What do I need to consider before investing?
Before investing you should consider:
- Setting aside enough money in accessible savings to cover any emergencies.
- If your existing insurance and pension arrangements are sufficient for your needs.
- Paying off any high interest debts that your money would be better used to repay.
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03
Is investing right for me?
If you know you'll need a set amount of money over the short term then investing may not be right for you.
Generally the longer you invest for, the more chance there is for growth on your investment. So if you invest, you should be prepared to do so for 5 years or more.
You should only invest if you are comfortable with the risk that the value of investments can go down as well as up and that you could get back less than you invest.
Should I save or invest?
Our latest investment guide looks at the key differences between saving and investing to help you choose the right path for you.
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04
How much should I invest?
You can choose how much to invest and the level of risk you're comfortable with. The value of investments can go down as well as up, your capital is at risk.
Find out your risk profile
Pick from five ready-made funds that have low fees and charges. Each fund has a different level of risk from 'low' to 'high'.
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05
How do start investing?
Before you begin, you must ask yourself:
- What are you looking to achieve?
- How much money you can put away for the medium to long term?
- Are you prepared to see the value fall along the way?
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06
Investing with NatWest
It can be hard to know where to start – for help with simple and affordable online investing, and to choose your investment personality, head over to NatWest Invest.
*Tax reliefs referred to are those applied under current legislation, which may change. The availability and value of any tax relief will depend on your individual circumstances.
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This guide provides investment information to help you get started and make investing part of your financial planning.
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Should I save or invest?
This article looks at the key differences between saving and investing to help you choose the right path for you.
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Experienced investors
This guide explore five habits of experienced investors to help you invest with confidence, whichever stage of investing you're at.
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Our insights hub
To continue to read insights and analysis from our experts, please use the link below to visit our content hub.
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NatWest Invest
For help with simple and affordable investing, and to choose your investment personality, head over to NatWest Invest. There you can:
Choose how much to invest
Choose your level of risk
Get help with online automated advice
Then let us help get your money working harder.
The value of investments can go down as well as up, your capital is at risk. Investments are designed for the long term. You’ll need to be a NatWest customer with online banking, aged 18 - 84 and a UK resident for tax purposes.