SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS
A financially secure future
When you save and invest now, your money should work hard to give you security in the years ahead. So have a no-obligation chat with an Ask Acorn financial advisor to learn how we can help protect and grow your wealth.
An expert, reassuring guide
There are countless savings and investment choices.
But with an experienced, trusted and friendly expert to guide you, finding the right options to protect and grow your wealth is far easier. That’s why having an Ask Acorn financial advisor in your corner to explain what’s possible is so reassuring.
Looking to protect and grow your money?
Just Ask Acorn and it’s done.
Why Ask Acorn?
What sets us apart is the expertise and personalised service offered by every Ask Acorn financial advisor.
This means that when you ask for our help to make the most of your money, we will:
Review everything
We’ll review all your finances to see how much scope you have to save and invest.
Discuss your goals
We ask about your future goals to ensure our recommendations can help make these happen.
Make a personalised plan
We’ll create a tailored savings plan for you that will make you feel financially comfortable and confident.
Explain everything clearly
We’ll give you jargon-free explanations of any technical terms associated with your investments.
Keep an eye on everything
With you, we will continue to review all your investments to update you on how they are performing and answer any questions you may have·
Issue annual updates
We’ll supply you with clear and easy-to-understand annual updates on your investment performance.
Always answer questions
We’ll always be available to answer any queries you might have and give an up-to-date valuation of your investments.
Keep you in control
We’ll immediately make any changes to your arrangements if you ask us to.
Choose the saving and investment option
that’s right for you
Whatever you want from your savings and investments, you can trust an Ask Acorn financial advisor to clearly explain all the options we offer:
Regular savings plan
There are endless reasons to save regularly: to cover important expenses like education costs or home improvements or to pay for life’s highlights like dream holidays or weddings. But how can you ensure the money you put aside regularly works hard to get you the best return possible? The first step is to sit down for a chat with an Ask Acorn financial advisor.
You’ll hear how a regular savings plan can generate high potential returns and be designed to match your savings goals, what you can afford and your attitude to risk. When we chat, we’ll explain what’s possible and just how much you could look forward to by adopting a regular savings habit.
Lump sum investment
Are you in the fortunate position of having a lump sum to invest? Then you’ll want to protect its value and make it grow as much as possible. Currently, returns offered by standard savings accounts can be disappointing – and that’s why it’s worth having a no-obligation chat with an Ask Acorn financial advisor.
If you do, you’ll hear how an investment bond can deliver strong potential returns over a period of time yet can still offer the flexibility of withdrawals if you need access to some cash. We can arrange everything to ensure you’re comfortable with how your lump sum is invested by helping you identify funds that match your risk appetite. An Ask Acorn financial adviser can take you through everything that is possible if you have a lump sum to invest.
Corporate savings and investments
As a business owner, you work hard to make your business successful. If it is, you deserve to reap the rewards. With this in mind, speaking to an Ask Acorn financial advisor could be a very positive step.
Drawing on our expertise in helping people grow their wealth, a local Ask Acorn financial advisor can outline your options for converting corporate profits into personal assets, tax-efficiently. While you’ll make the final decision about everything, we’re confident you’ll be very interested in hearing how we can help your money work as hard as you do.
Post-retirement saving
Saving and investing makes sense right through life. After all, spending won’t stop after you retire and it’s always better not to rely on credit to pay for unexpected expenses or special treats.
Having a realistic plan can really help make saving part of your life, post-retirement. By talking through your personal needs, resources, expectations and attitude to risk with an Ask Acorn financial advisor, we can create a savings plan that’s full of possibilities. A chat with us won’t cost you anything and you don’t have to follow any recommendations – but it will give you a valuable chance to hear how to protect and grow your money.
So whether you have a lump sum ready to invest right now or want to make saving a regular retirement habit, let’s talk and explore all your options.
Start saving and investing today
What our customers say
Answers to FAQs
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How do savings and investments work?
Savings and investments range from everyday bank deposit accounts to more complex financial products designed to deliver high returns. But all savings and investment options have a simple aim: to protect, and if possible grow, the value of money invested in them.
Most savings accounts will offer you a fixed rate of interest. Usually, this rate depends on your account’s balance and how much notice is needed before you can make a withdrawal.
If you invest, you’re probably aiming for better returns than you would receive from a savings account. Unit-linked investments can benefit from capital growth which refers to a growth over time in the value of the shares which underpin this type of investment.
It’s always important to remember that the value of investments can fall as well as rise. That’s because their value depends on how well whatever they have invested in has performed. The exception is government bonds whose value is guaranteed by the state.
If you’re choosing whether to save, invest or do both, you should consider three important things: your current financial situation, your future goals and your appetite for risk. Having a no-obligation chat with an Ask Acorn financial advisor will help you learn how we can help protect and grow your wealth.
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How do I start a savings plan?
The easiest way to start a savings plan is to talk to an Ask Acorn financial advisor about your financial plans for the future. This will help identify how much you should save and the most suitable way to save.
Questions to consider might include when you may need access to your money. For example, are you saving to cover school or college fees you’ll face in ten years’ time or do you want funds available now to cover emergencies or unexpected expenses?
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How do I define my savings goals?
To begin with, you need to know why you’re saving and what’s achievable. Talking to an Ask Acorn financial advisor will help you answer these important questions.
The first step in setting savings goals is being clear about your current financial situation. To do this, you should subtract your mortgage and loan payments and other regular expenses, from your total income. Then sort your savings aims into ‘essential and ‘optional’ goals.
‘Essential’ would cover important costs such as future education fees, necessary home improvements etc. ‘Optional’ savings goals could include holidays or car upgrades. What’s in either category depends on you.
Finally, because your priorities and personal circumstances will probably change over time, you should review your savings goals regularly.
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How do investment plans compare to bank deposit accounts?
A bank deposit account will pay you a fixed rate of interest. This makes it easy to calculate how much your money will grow if interest rates don’t change.
Investment plans offer the potential of a higher return than you would get from a standard deposit account. However, depending on where your money is invested, it could also decline in value.
Whether you choose a bank deposit account or an investment plan depends on your personal goals and your tolerance of financial risk. An Ask Acorn financial advisor will help you decide by mapping out options that will suit your financial goals and personal needs.
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What is investment risk?
There’s usually some risk involved whenever you invest. Naturally, this depends on how and where your money is invested.
By their nature, some investments are riskier than others. For example, it’s easier to predict how a long-established company in a mature sector (for example, food or pharmaceuticals) may perform than a start-up in a new industry.
If you are uncomfortable with risk, you might prefer more stable investments such as government bonds. However, most investors usually aim to create a portfolio that balances less risky investments with ones that offer good possibilities for growth. This approach would help protect your investment while giving it a chance to grow.
An Ask Acorn financial advisor will carefully check your attitude to risk before making any savings or investment recommendations.
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What are investment bonds?
Investment bonds buy into a variety of different unit-linked funds that invest in equities (stocks and shares), unit trusts and government bonds. These funds are divided into units of equal value and aim to give you a better return than standard deposit accounts, especially in the long term.
If you have a lump sum to invest, an Ask Acorn financial adviser can take you through everything you need to know.
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How can I financially prepare for my children’s future?
As your children get older, you’ll face many different costs – particularly relating to their education. Investing in a dedicated savings plan or investment bond as early as possible can help you cover these expenses.
At the same time, life cover offers the peace of mind of knowing they will be financially secure if anything happens to you. Finally, your loved ones could benefit if you invest in life cover to offset inheritance tax. Taking this step would help protect them from a tax burden after your death.
There are many ways you can invest to help secure your children’s future. An Ask Acorn financial advisor can help you decide which is most suitable for you.
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What savings tips can I use now?
Building an emergency fund that would cover 3 to 6 months of living expenses is a very sensible savings goal.
To achieve this, you should set up a standing order that will transfer a regular, affordable amount to a dedicated savings account, as close to payday as possible. You’ll soon readjust your budget to work with what’s left.
Becoming a smart shopper will also help you save money. This means reducing non-essential spending, comparing prices and taking advantage of discounts and special offers.
Many apps and online resources are available that can help with personal budgeting. If these help you reduce your spending, you’ll have more to save.
Finally, take time to meet with an Ask Acorn financial advisor. Sitting down for a full financial review can reveal other ways you can spend less and save more.