With current interest rates on cash savings very low, it is difficult to achieve growth above the rate of inflation. And if the cost of living is rising faster than your savings are growing, you’re effectively losing money.
With cash savings, a penny saved is a penny earned. But thanks to inflation, over time, the value of the penny saved could be much less than when it was earned. When looking at investments, focus on what the actual return is or the return net of inflation.
Over longer periods, well-managed investments usually grow by more than cash. Even if inflation isn’t a worry right now, you should still factor it into your investment strategy. Here we explain in simple terms how you could beat inflation.
Consistently outpaced inflation
Investments that change in value a lot day-to-day tend to increase in value the most over several years. Investments that change in value a little day-to-day tend to increase by less over several years.
So, if it doesn’t worry you to see falls in value occasionally, and you have enough money in other places that it wouldn’t affect your lifestyle, you might target high growth with higher risk investments, for example, a portfolio of equities. Investing in equities over a long period has consistently outpaced inflation.
Lower risk investments
Otherwise, you might target just enough growth to beat inflation with lower-risk investments. One example is bonds: loans are given to governments and companies that are repaid at a fixed rate of interest.
Either way, there is always the risk that you could lose money, so you should keep enough savings separately in a cash account to cover any emergency expenses and short-term savings goals.
Ahead of inflation
One good way of staying ahead of inflation is buying stocks that pay good dividends. Dividends are a tangible return paid by companies and can keep up with inflation. And just like inflation, dividends, too, can be calculated annually.
This figure, called the dividend yield, can be measured by adding dividends received during the year and dividing it by the stock price. The yield must be higher than the annual inflation rate. Asset allocation is also critical. In this, one can look at an opportunity to diversify globally. This will make your portfolio more stable and less vulnerable to domestic volatility and inflation.
Investing tax-efficiently
Because investments have potentially higher returns than cash savings, it’s important to protect your returns from tax. Two common ways to do this are through Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and pensions.
ISAs currently allow you to invest up to £20,000 a year (tax year 2020/21), which can provide a tax-efficient return through interest, capital gains and dividend income. Pensions offer the same benefits, plus tax relief on your contributions up to a maximum of £40,000 a year (or 100% of your salary if it is less than £40,000). However, you can’t currently access your pension money until you reach age 55.
To review your finances and cash position contact one of our advisers. Further information in regards to tax allowances and ISA limits can also be found at gov.uk.
