Investing in various asset types can be an essential element of your wider financial plan, and generate returns that put you on course to achieve your short and long-term goals.

As professional financial planners, we often encourage our clients to explore the idea of investing and consider what would suit them, their needs and their priorities.

So we were interested to read the results of a study by saving and investing app Moneybox which showed that fewer people are taking up this option.

According to the survey, just 26 per cent of people invested in financial markets in 2023, which is six per cent down on the figure recorded a year earlier.

So why is the number of people choosing to invest and taking advantage of the opportunities it can offer coming down?

Well, cost is the main reason, as 36 per cent said they felt they couldn’t afford to invest right now.

Meanwhile, nearly one in four said they wanted to make saving a priority, due to interest rates being particularly high.

But at the same time, almost one in five people said they’ve chosen not to invest as they don’t feel confident doing so.

Furthermore, over a quarter of those polled said they were put off investing because they were worried they might lose their money.

The findings suggest that many people need more education and guidance on how to invest and feel confident making the right decisions.

And that’s where we can help.

We will take a holistic look at your finances and consider your overall circumstances and objectives, and highlight what options are open to you.

This could include investing in certain asset classes and markets, so you can be confident we’ll advise you on risk management and mitigation.

With a specialist advisor pointing you in the right direction and giving you the information you need to make informed choices, making the leap into the financial markets could pay off handsomely.

Why are Britons investing in financial markets?

According to the Moneybox survey, half of British investors have chosen this option in order to build up their wealth over time, while more than a third said their investments form part of their retirement plan.

Meanwhile, 29 per cent said they invested in order to achieve their long-term financial goals, while 27 per cent said they believe it could help them provide for their family in the future.

Soaring inflation in recent years has also had a profound impact on people’s financial decisions.

In fact, 61 per cent said the cost of living crisis has prompted them to take more control of their finances and become more financially resilient.

It just goes to show that there’s no one-size-fits-all model when it comes to investing and that each and every investor has their own unique and specific priorities – and in turn, why you need bespoke, tailored financial advice.

If you have any questions about investing and managing your wider finances, please get in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to speak with you.