Before you start with an Investment Dealing Account, it helps to be clear on a few key points.

What for and how much?

• What are you investing towards? Retirement, university fees, a rainy day? The investments that might be suitable for you will depend on your goals and how long you plan to invest.
• And how much money do you want to invest? Will it be enough to meet your goals?

The risks and how to manage them

• What sorts of risks are you willing to take? Different types of investments come with different types of risk that you should take the time to understand. Our Investment selector includes information about risks for the investments you can choose from.
• The greater the return you want, the more risk you’ll usually have to accept.
• It can be tempting to buy and sell investments just because everyone else is. Try to avoid the panic trap by doing your own research first and make up your own mind based on the facts.
• Think about managing your Investment Dealing Account’s overall risk exposure by choosing a range of different investments from different fund managers and listed companies.
• If you’re saving over the short-term, it’s wise not to take too much of a risk. It’s generally recommended you invest for at least five years.
• Once you’re up and running, review your Investment Dealing Account regularly. A fund might change the way it invests for example, or you might not be willing to take as many risks as you did before.
• Always remember that investments can go down as well as up. You may get back less than you put in and that past performance is not a guide to future performance.