The best ways to invest your lump sum wisely (2024)

Howeveryou comeintoalumpsum ofmoney,you’ll need to decide how best to use it.

Whether you want to use it to buy a house, put it towards your children’s education, or even simplysave itforthefuture, there area number of lump sum saving and investment options immediately available to you.

The best ways to invest your lump sum wisely (1)

Thankfully, we’re on hand to breakthings down, so here is our guide on how to spend a lump sum wisely.

What is a lump sum?

You can come across a financial windfall when one or more of your sources of income, or another source altogether, pays a large single sum of money to you.

This could come from winning the lottery, inheriting, a redundancy payment or drawing on your pension, for example.

Lump sums differ from other ways of saving.

While some savings willoffergradual returns, lump sums are larger amounts that can collectively earn a lot more interest.

This means that with the right saving strategy, not only will you be able to put your lump sum towards your priorities,butyou will alsobenefit from theadditional interest.

How to prioritise your lump sum?

Everyone’s financial situation is different, meaning thatdecidinghow to use your lump sum ultimately rests with you.

Thedecisionwill depend on the size of your windfall,personal circ*mstances, and how muchrisk you want to take on.

If you have around £10,000, are lookingto save towards your retirementand prefer to save your money with little risk attached, you may prefer to keep your money in a savings account.

If you have a larger amount and don’t mind taking on a little more risk, you mayachievebetter returns investing your money directly.

Repayingdebts

One of the biggest priorities many peoplehaveis paying off debts of various kinds.

Some debts, such as credit card debt, can quickly begin to multiply when not repaidon time, so oftentimes, thefirst priorityis to resolve any outstanding payments that you may have.

If you’re looking totake control of things like credit card debt, lump sums can go a long way towards improving your financial situationand relievinga lot of stress.

If you do need help taking control of debt, it is always a good idea to consult a financial adviser.

How to invest a lump sum

Investingalump sum isone of the more popular ways for people who are more comfortable with higher levels of risk to invest larger amounts of money.

Higher risk means your chances of greater profits are also higher, so risk isn’t always a bad thing.

It’s important to only invest amounts of money you are comfortable with, andinto investments that you are confident of.To understand moreabout investing money, you should speak to an adviser.

As interest rates are currently low, many people are deciding that waiting for interest to build over a few years– investinginto stocks, shares and potentially bonds– is abetter way to build savings.

Each different investment you make will have a different level of risk and your returns will varyas a result.

Butas a general rule,wait at least five years before taking out your lump sum as this allows savings to build,interest to accrue and allows your investment time torecover any losses it may have incurred.

Regardless of what you choose to invest in, there are some effective ways to reduceyour risk.

As thereare different kinds of risk,it’s important to understand what potential downsides there are to each investment.

But if you come into a large financial windfall, you may want to split this sum into two halves, with one part invested into stocks and shares and the other into a safer savings account.

Build emergency savings

Howeveryou choose to invest your lump sum, it may also be a good idea to build an emergency savings pot.

Typically, an emergency savings pot should cover about three months' salary and be quickly accessible so that you can use it whenever you need.

These kinds of savings will cover you in case of unforeseen circ*mstances, such as redundancy or illness.

Always check with your employerabout itsworkplace illness policyand the eligibilitycriteria, buthaving emergency savings to support you in times of need will give you a little more peace of mind.

Saving with a savings account

If your lump sum is a smaller amount or you would prefer to save your money towards certain priorities,a simple savings account might be the better option for you.

Cash savingsare always popular with people who want to put away a lump sum and earn interest over a long period of time.

This can be a very good way to save for things, without taking on bigger levels ofrisk. Savings accounts are much safer, buthow much interest you earn will come down toyourbank’s interest rate.

As interest rates are typically quite lowat the moment,it could take a while to earn a good amount of interest.

Saving with an ISA

Individual Savings Accounts(ISAs)are a particularly good way to savetowards ahouse purchase or retirement, or– with someparticularISAs– yourchildren’s future.

There area number ofdifferent ISAsavailablefor different savings purposes,and eachcaninvolvedifferent kinds offinancialproducts and savings amounts.

You could put your lump sum into an individual cash ISA, where you canearn tax-free interest onup to£20,000.

If you’re looking to save towards your first house, you could also considera lifetime ISA.

These ISAs allow you to put up to £4,000a yearinto a savings account, with a limit of £20,000.

LifetimeISAs were introduced with the explicit intention of helping18-40-year-oldssave towards their first homes.

So,if buying a house is your goal,this typeof ISAisa good option. There are alsojunior ISAsthat can helpwithsavingmoneytowards your children’s future.

TheseISAs let you save up to£9,000 a yearand canbe only withdrawn oncethe children are over 18.

If you're looking at making potentially larger gains (but at an increased risk), you could also consider investing in a stocks & shares ISA.

Whether you’re looking to invest or save your lump sum,having a financial windfall at your disposal can helppay back debts,buy yourfirst house or save for your children’s future.

Investing, saving andbuilding for your future is important, so it’s vital thatas you’re makingdecisions about your financial future, you have the right advice.

Foryourexpert financial adviser,trustUnbiased.

Match meI’d like to speak to a financial adviser

The best ways to invest your lump sum wisely (2024)

FAQs

The best ways to invest your lump sum wisely? ›

If you have a surplus or a lumpsum amount for investment then you can invest in mutual funds and earn higher returns in comparison to other fixed income earning options. However, before investing you must consider your investment objectives and the scheme's objective and associated risk.

What is the best way to invest a lump sum of money? ›

If you have a surplus or a lumpsum amount for investment then you can invest in mutual funds and earn higher returns in comparison to other fixed income earning options. However, before investing you must consider your investment objectives and the scheme's objective and associated risk.

What does Dave Ramsey say is the best investment? ›

Invest 15% of your income in tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Invest in good growth stock mutual funds. Keep a long-term perspective and invest consistently.

How do you invest your money wisely? ›

  1. Give your money a goal.
  2. Decide how much help you want.
  3. Pick an investment account.
  4. Open your account.
  5. Choose investments that match your tolerance for risk.
  6. For growth, invest in stocks and stock funds.
Jan 3, 2023

What is the smartest thing to do with a lump sum of money? ›

1 – Free your income. 2 – Create cash flow. 3 – Put a down payment on a property. 4 – Save for long-term growth.

What to do with 100k lump sum? ›

Wrapper/product
  1. General Investment Account. This is effectively buying funds (Unit trusts/Investment trusts) outside of any investment wrapper. ...
  2. Stocks and Shares ISA. This is simply a tax wrapper and can hold cash, shares and collective investments (funds). ...
  3. Pension. ...
  4. Investment Bonds.
Mar 15, 2023

What is the 80 20 rule Dave Ramsey? ›

There's an 80-20 rule for money Dave Ramsey teaches which says managing your finances is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent knowledge. This 80-20 rule also applies to constructing a healthy life. Personal wellness is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent knowledge.

What is the #1 rule of investing? ›

1 – Never lose money. Let's kick it off with some timeless advice from legendary investor Warren Buffett, who said “Rule No. 1 is never lose money.

What is a millionaires best investment? ›

Here are the six most popular places or investments that millionaires invest in.
  • Cash and Cash Equivalents. Many, and perhaps most, millionaires are frugal. ...
  • Real Estate. ...
  • Stocks and Stock Funds. ...
  • Private Equity and Hedge Funds. ...
  • Commodities. ...
  • Alternative Investments.
May 8, 2023

What is the safest investment with the highest return? ›

Here are the best low-risk investments in June 2023:
  • High-yield savings accounts.
  • Series I savings bonds.
  • Short-term certificates of deposit.
  • Money market funds.
  • Treasury bills, notes, bonds and TIPS.
  • Corporate bonds.
  • Dividend-paying stocks.
  • Preferred stocks.
Jun 1, 2023

What is the smartest way to start investing? ›

Best investments for beginners
  1. High-yield savings accounts. This can be one of the simplest ways to boost the return on your money above what you're earning in a typical checking account. ...
  2. Certificates of deposit (CDs) ...
  3. 401(k) or another workplace retirement plan. ...
  4. Mutual funds. ...
  5. ETFs. ...
  6. Individual stocks.
Feb 20, 2023

How can I grow my money fast? ›

10 Ways To Build Wealth Fast
  1. Save. You can't begin any type of wealth-generation plan without having money to invest. ...
  2. Buy an S&P 500 Index Fund. ...
  3. Buy Dividend-Paying Stocks. ...
  4. Buy a Rental Property. ...
  5. Keep Asking for Raises. ...
  6. Start a Business. ...
  7. Broaden Your Education and Skill Set. ...
  8. Set Up Multiple Streams of Income.

What are the 3 C's of investing? ›

Investors must know you, like you, and trust you before they will fund you. And they are looking for what I call the three Cs in a business founder: character, confidence, and coachability.

Which investment is best for long term? ›

8 Good Long Term Saving Options
  • PPF and EPF. One of the most popular investment options in the country, the Public Provident Fund is with an interest rate of 8.7% and still remains the best bet. ...
  • Stocks. ...
  • Mutual funds. ...
  • Real Estate. ...
  • Bonds. ...
  • Gold. ...
  • ULIPs. ...
  • Equity funds.

How to wisely invest $100? ›

Our 6 best ways to invest $100 starting today
  1. Start an emergency fund.
  2. Use a micro-investing app or robo-advisor.
  3. Invest in a stock index mutual fund or exchange-traded fund.
  4. Use fractional shares to buy stocks.
  5. Put it in your 401(k).
  6. Open an IRA.

Where is the smartest place to put your money? ›

The 4 Smartest Places to Put Your Money in May 2023
  1. A savings account. A savings account is a great place for money you have earmarked for emergency expenses, or for money you're setting aside for a relatively short-term goal. ...
  2. A certificate of deposit. ...
  3. An IRA. ...
  4. A taxable brokerage account.
May 15, 2023

What is the best thing to do with a large sum of money? ›

Some options might include paying down debt, building your emergency fund, investing, fund your retirement accounts, funding an HSA and more.

How much money is considered a lump sum? ›

A lump-sum payment is an amount paid all at once, as opposed to an amount that is paid in installments.

How to invest $100 000 to make $1 million? ›

Invest $400 per month for 20 years

If you're earning a 10% average annual return and investing $400 per month, you'd be able to go from $100,000 to $1 million in savings in just over 20 years. Again, if your actual average returns are higher or lower than 10% per year, that will affect your timeline.

Where best to put $100,000? ›

  • Investing 100k In Real Estate. Many seasoned investors will argue that the best investment for 100K is in real estate. ...
  • Individual Stocks. Stocks are a great way to diversify your investment portfolio. ...
  • Investing 100k In ETFs & Mutual Funds. ...
  • Investing 100k In IRAs. ...
  • Investing 100k In Peer-To-Peer Lending.

How long will $100 000 last in retirement? ›

But all the same, 100k in retirement can last up to 30 years if you stick to the general 4% thumb rule of financial planning during retirement. This rule suggests that retirees 65 and older should withdraw at most 4% of their savings during the first year of retirement.

What is the 50 25 25 rule? ›

The 50/25/25 saving rule is an incredibly useful guideline to help manage your finances and ensure that you're putting away enough money each month. This rule suggests that you allocate half of your income to essential expenses, a quarter to discretionary spending, and another quarter to savings.

What is the 50 32 20 rule? ›

The rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must-have or must-do. The remaining half should be split up between 20% savings and debt repayment and 30% to everything else that you might want.

What's the 50 30 20 budget rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What is Rule 25 in investing? ›

The 25x Rule is simply an estimate of how much you'll need to have saved for retirement. You take the amount you want to spend each year in retirement and multiply it by 25. Generally, you can look at your current salary to get an idea of how much you might be able to comfortably live off in retirement.

What is the golden rule of money? ›

The golden rule of saving money is “save before you spend,” also known as “pay yourself first.” Another common money-saving rule is “save for the unexpected.” In other words, build an emergency fund. Using these rules to prioritize saving money can help you create a safety net and work towards other financial goals.

What is the 3 5 7 rule of investing? ›

The strategy is very simple: count how many days, hours, or bars a run-up or a sell-off has transpired. Then on the third, fifth, or seventh bar, look for a bounce in the opposite direction. Too easy? Perhaps, but it's uncanny how often it happens.

What is the safest investment for $1000000? ›

For example, bonds and real estate projects are the safest methods for investing $1 million dollars. Bonds are undoubtedly one of the preferred ways for investors just starting since they represent a minimum risk of loss, ensuring a return equal to the initial investment. They also provide earnings through interest.

Do most millionaires make over $100000 a year? ›

Choose the right career

And one crucial detail to note: Millionaire status doesn't equal a sky-high salary. “Only 31% averaged $100,000 a year over the course of their career,” the study found, “and one-third never made six figures in any single working year of their career.”

How do 90% of millionaires make their money? ›

“90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” This famous quote from Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of all time, is just as relevant today as it was more than a century ago.

What is the most guaranteed investment? ›

High-quality bonds and fixed-indexed annuities are often considered the safest investments with the highest returns. However, there are many different types of bond funds and annuities, each with risks and rewards. For example, government bonds are generally more stable than corporate bonds based on past performance.

Should a 70 year old be in the stock market? ›

Seniors should consider investing their money for several reasons: Generate Income: Investing in income-generating assets, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate, can provide a steady income stream during retirement. This can be especially important for seniors who no longer receive a regular paycheck from work.

What is the safest investment on earth? ›

Treasury Bills, Notes and Bonds

U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be about the safest investments on earth. That's because they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Government bonds offer fixed terms and fixed interest rates.

How do you generate income from a lump sum? ›

  1. Purchase a buy-to-let property. Buying a property to let out is a common way to create a passive income. ...
  2. Invest in a fund. Investing provides an opportunity for your money to grow, and you could use the returns to create an income. ...
  3. Invest in dividend-paying stocks. ...
  4. Purchase bonds. ...
  5. Purchase an annuity.
Mar 28, 2022

What is the best way to invest $100000 cash? ›

Best Investments for Your $100,000
  1. Index Funds, Mutual Funds and ETFs.
  2. Individual Company Stocks.
  3. Real Estate.
  4. Savings Accounts, MMAs and CDs.
  5. Pay Down Your Debt.
  6. Create an Emergency Fund.
  7. Account for the Capital Gains Tax.
  8. Employ Diversification in Your Portfolio.
Apr 19, 2023

How to invest $10,000 for a year? ›

You can invest 10K in individual stocks, ETFs, mutual and index funds, and stocks and shares ISAs. You can also use a robo-advisor to invest in stocks. How to invest 10k for the short term? For short-term goals, you can invest the 100k in a high-interest savings account or a cash ISA.

How to invest 200K lump sum? ›

The Best Ways to Invest $200K Right Now:
  1. Work With a Financial Advisor. Figuring out how to invest a large amount of money is tricky. ...
  2. Use a Robo-Advisor. ...
  3. Stocks & ETFs. ...
  4. Fixed-Income Investments. ...
  5. Real Estate. ...
  6. Become Debt Free. ...
  7. Alternative Asset Classes. ...
  8. Private Equity.
Feb 23, 2023

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