Three musts for any ISA investor

Here are Adrian’s three ‘musts’ for ISA investors:

1. Have a plan

Before you invest, set yourself a plan, write down what your objectives and aims are from your investments, how long you aim to invest for and if you will be investing more money each year. Review the plan and fine tune it adding in your ability to tolerate risk and revisit this plan every time you consider changing your investments or making new ones.

2.  Choose the right platform

Pick a platform that does what you need – If you are only looking for funds as opposed to individual shares inside your ISA then all you need is one that offers this. Make sure the platform doesn’t charge any exit fees as this means if you choose to leave and move to a platform more suitable to your needs you are free to do so

3. Diversify your investment

Diversification is one of the most important rules to follow when it comes to investing. By holding investments in different markets and asset classes you are able to spread the risk and reduce volatility of any particular sector or market. Diversified portfolios are better positioned to weather the volatile markets we have seen so far in 2016.

“Investing can be quite straightforward as long as you follow some simple rules; know why you are investing, whether it is for your children’s future or your own retirement,” said Adrian Lowcock.

“Also ensure you have the right tools for the job so pick a platform that meets your needs.

“Finally making sure you are well diversified also means you don’t need to be an investment expert; a well-diversified portfolio will protect you from the worst of the falls whilst giving you access to the better performing markets.”