How do you invest your money?

nesf

Eh, I wouldn't feel comfortable with all my money in "risky" investments.

I like to keep it spread out etc.

Although, if another SSIA comes up I'll defo be taking it on. Was a fantastic way to save imo.

karltimber

I still have a certain amount of cash but just don't use banks for "saving".

I would not consider investing in stocks risky - if the right tools are used.
Usual rules though - don't invest more than you can lose.

My job has plenty of other savings/stock schemes.
Options/share purchasing and bonus to share programs !!

So I am fairly spread out alright but nothing associated with Irish stocks - I'd be the last one to find out anything !!!!!!

Would I be right in saying that Irish people in general are afraid or reluctant to invest - possibly after Eircom !!

RainyDay

karltimber wrote:

The reason I invest in US stocks ,is so in years to come I can pay off my house and have no cash worries. Whatever happens in Ireland/Europe in the next 10 years, will not effect me the same as joe-blogs with his e250k morgage.

Why do you assume that the US economy will beat the European economy?

boa-constrictor

Pips and Peps are a complete waste of money. They are very agressively marketed by the banks and I've never met a person yet you was happy with them. You dont stand a chance with the bank gleaning off all the contribution fees and management fees. It would need to be invested in all the top performing shares for you to have even a small chance of gaining after all the bank will siphon off. Several friends of mine have signed up to them only to get out at a loss a couple of years later, and the guy in the bank will always tell you to wait it out (so he can make another 3 or 5 years commission out of you). There are mis-sold too. A friend of my younger brother, went in to start a saving scheme when he was around 20. He hadnt even a house and obviously that would have been his first aim so a 3 - 5 year savings product would have been appropriate but they gave him a 20 year PIP!

karltimber

I suppose I made that assumption because I trade/invest in emerging companies and there will always be those around - in an up or down market !!

I really don't have a huge knowledge on economy's etc to disagree with you !!

I'm sure there are trading accounts for European stocks with the same level of info but I have settled with US stocks !! and there are probably just as many folks who trade Euro stocks and won't touch US ones.

I'm just happy with US stocks -- appologies if I made a blunt statement out of context or without merit !!

karl

ionapaul

The stamp duty associated with Irish (and to a lesser extent British stocks) really put me off. I currently don't hold any Irish equities, only British and US. That said, purchasing non-Euro based equities (such as British or US) using Euros means that currency flucuations will effect your bottom line. For example, the dollar has strengthened so much since purchasing Company X stock six months ago, even if the stock price remains the same as on the day of purchase, I will make a good 10% if I choose to sell now.

RainyDay

I queried your US-focussed policy because you didn't mention anything about currency risk. Any investment outside the Eurozone carries this risk. Ionapaul is lucky in having made a significant gain on the dollar movement in recent months, but it could just as easily have been a significant loss.

I'm not suggesting that you never invest outside the Eurozone, but I would suggest that you aim to get some balance into your portfolio and not leave yourself completely exposed to FX movements.