I'm not giving Barclays the bl@@dy pleasure...

[SBD]

Dear Chaps and Chapess's,

having recently bailed out of the UK for a life of company supported luxury (yeah right) in Czech Republic I've managed to flog my gaff, just in time I suspect.
This has left me with a modest sum, would have been a nice sum if moving abroad hadn't involved getting rid of the missus as well, which I refuse on principal to leave in the care of the above mentioned crooks. I will be overseas for 12 - 18 months and would like to invest my lucre to try and achieve a bit more than a bog standard savings account however it has to be safe as this will be my deposit when I return.
I'm a complete dunce on this kind of thing so even a few pointers to where to start much appreciated!

kind regards,

SBD

[tuffer]

I have some space under my matress....

[SBD]

LOL - you wouldn't have any more under your patio for the ex as well would you?

[tuffer]

Could maybe squeeze her in next to mine....

[mutt k]

Treasury deposit currently paying 4.52% I believe

[minimax]

loads of options, how risk averse are you? quite, I would imagine...fixed rate bond would be a good start, you can start these at about 5.5% depending on the sum involved, also tracker bonds and guaranteed return bonds, gilt edged securities etc, loads to choose from, will post more advice after work...

[SBD]

Mucho grassy arse all, bonds were the only thing that caught my eye whilst loitering in Nationwide just before crimbo, as I understand they're pretty safe (which yes is a priority) and I don't mind having it locked up for a year.
Once having cleared all debts/finance etc I'll be looking to put away 50k

[bertie]

Just beware early redemption penalties and Market Value Adjustments (MVAs) as they can screw you badly.

National savings have some truely secure investments and when you factor in the lack of tax the rates aren't bad.

[vixpy1]

I'd stick it on the markets.

[rmhodv]

bertie said:

National savings have some truely secure investments and when you factor in the lack of tax the rates aren't bad.

I'm not a lover of putting all my eggs in one basket,so I'd spread my money around a bit.But if I were you (depending on how much wedge were talking about) I'd buy £10K's were of premimum bonds.At worst when you return your still got your £10K and you never know ERNIE might do you a good turn.

[bertie]

vixpy1 said:

I'd stick it on the markets.

In my expierance unless you're prepared to be highly active equities is a recipie for disaster.

Having just got out of equities, and crystalised a significant loss, I'll never be going back into them again.

[M@H]

SBD said:

Dear Chaps and Chapess's, My Name is Victor Umbagumbalumbo, having recently bailed out of the UK for a life of company supported luxury in Czech Republic I've managed to flog my gaff, just in time I suspect. This has left me with a modest sum which I have stashed in Metal Amunition cases under my bed. It would have been less of a nice sum if moving abroad hadn't involved some mysterious political unrest, a foreign president, plague, pestlence, and my newly deceased great aunts solicitor who is handling her estate of some £16,000,000 which I refuse on principal to leave in the care of the above mentioned crooks. I will be overseas for 12 - 18 months and would like to invest my lucre to try and achieve a bit more than a bog standard savings account however it has to be safe as this will be my deposit when I return. Accordingly I would like to suggest a scheme where you invest the money in a UK high interest account in your own name for this period, for which I will pay you with a % of the interest earned. I'm a complete dunce on this kind of thing so even a few pointers to where to start much appreciated! kind regards, SBD

[SBD]

LOL - I've already sent my Nigerian chum a large wedge. I'm expecting my millions any day now

I have a feeling that bunging 10k at ERNIE is a good idea, as said at the very least I'll get it back (unles Brown manages another mass deception on the appathetic unwashed).

As for the remaining 40k - bonds or as mentioned treasury deposits? As I'm simply looking to put this away for a year or so is it worth using/paying an FA?

Many thanks.

[cirks]

If you want it to be safe then you could bung 20k in to an Alliance and Leicester on-line savings account. It gives over 5% and you have the added benefit that should you need any of it at least you can access it immediately. Sling the other 30k into some bonds or something.

[Ed]

For £50k you ought to use your tax free options first. So £7k into a Maxi ISA, probably FTSE tracking would be safe over a year as forcast is for modest growth.

Premium Bonds are tax free so the opportunity cost is only about 2.5-3% when you look at the net figures.

The rest I would put into Gold or Platinum, you could buy 1 year options on them or purchase and deposit it.

[SBD]

Why gold or Platinum? Is this not a little risky as per the markets? Or is it more stable?
Already at my limit on ISA's

[james_j]

What about a 1000 or so in premium bonds? You can cash them in when you want so won't actually lose (but won't get any interest), but you may win something. Alliance and Leicester are offering just over 5% with their internet bank facility.

I realise you may want more return but can't think of anything better (riskier) that would be worthwhile over the term you are thinking.

[SBD]

Thanks All,

going to put a chunk into Premium Bonds and the rest into best saving I can (thanks for the pointer to A&L) as following discussion with my directors my tenure here is anything but predictable and i don't want to be tied up.

TTFN

SBD

[trax]

There isnt really many options for you, as you want a short term investment, so any UT's are out of the question. Anything with charges also, which some bonds have, as you will only make the charges back in around a year, so no return.
Best bet is deposit account, or cash ISA.