Make your ISAs count
Individual savings accounts are one of the best-known savings and investment tools. Children grow up with savings accounts, but as soon as they start work, they are advised to switch to a cash Isa to stop the taxman taking a chunk out of their interest.
As we get older and have more money to spare, we start thinking about investing. It's then that we are introduced to stocks and shares Isas.
Isas are the bedrock of the UK's savings landscape, and it's comforting to note that, in this age of austerity, the coalition government remains committed to maintaining this tax-effi cient wrapper – it's even rolling out a junior Isa to replace the defunct child trust fund. Friends and relatives will be able to contribute to an Isa, which the child will then be able to access when they reach age 18. More details are expected in this year's Budget.
It's no good opening an Isa and forgetting about it though. Monitoring and spring cleaning are essential. It's also important to check you have put in as much as you can each tax year to make the most of the tax-free (or at least tax-efficient) returns.
But help is at hand. Whether you're saving for the short term and you just want to use your cash allowance (page seven) or you want to dip your toe into investing and have heard about selfselect Isas but are not sure if they're right for you (page 10), we have features to assist you.
How to squeeze out income from an Isa, the pros and cons of investing in Latin America and both sides of the enduring debate on ethical versus unethical investment are also covered,to aid you in your sa spring cleaning.
Finally, you'll find lots of tips on the funds, investment trusts and shares that could perform strongly this year at the back of this supplement, to help you build your perfect Isa portfolio.
Download this exclusive supplement for free now when you try Money Observer Today!
Money Observer is the most experienced personal finance and investment magazine in the market. If you're serious about making the most of your money, take advantage of our expertise today.
Other great benefits include:
- FREE delivery to your door - up to five days before it's on sale in the shops
- FREE access to the restricted area of moneyobserver.com so you can read Money Observer online before it's even printed, and be one of the first to take advantage of our hot share tips
- FREE access to our internet archive of more than 1,000 articles
- FREE supplements on the key areas of personal finance, such as pensions, ISAs and tax minimisation
- FREE email newsletters to help you stay on top of the fast-changing world of investment and personal finance
