Setting investment goals

Before you begin investing, start thinking about your life goals and what you need to do to achieve them – that way, you’ll have a better idea of the journey ahead.
What you will learn
- Why you should have crystal-clear investment goals
- How different life goals can help shape your investment strategy
- Which questions you should ask yourself before you start
Everyone has their own goals in life – these could include saving for your dream home, getting a degree, starting your own business or building a nest egg for retirement.
Common life goals
Investing isn’t just about making money. It’s about growing your savings over time to reach your goals.
These can be short-, medium- or long-term. You might want to:
- Creating an income for your retirement
- Starting a business
- Save for your children’s education
- Buy a house
- Build an inheritance for your family
- Create an emergency fund in case you need it
Whether you’re investing for one reason or many, having clear objectives puts you in a better position to achieve them.
Build your investment strategy
Each investment goal comes with a different strategy. However, they all depend on:
- How much disposable income you have available
- How long you can lock up your money
- What rate of return you’re after
- Whether you want a regular income or not, and
- How much risk you are willing to take
If you’re planning for an early retirement next year, for instance, your timescale will be much shorter than if you’re planning to start your own business in a few years’ time.
You’ll also need to consider if you need a regular income. This is often the case for investors who are no longer in work. But, if you can afford it, you could let your investment grow over time. read more about investing for income here
Get started by mapping out your life goals, and you’ll have a solid foundation for your investment strategy.
Risk notice
Any information provided should not be considered personal advice. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. You may not get back the full amount you invest. If you have any doubts about making your own investment decisions, seek financial advice