Investing for beginners—5 easy steps to help you invest safely

When it comes to making your money grow and building your financial future, investing is one of the best ways to reach your goals. 

Yet only 10% of women actually invest, according to data analytics firm Kantar.

Investing offers you an opportunity to grow your money and beat inflation, which is the cost of living.

Inflation is expected to average out to 4% next year according to the chancellor Rishi Sunak, and unless you earn an interest rate on your savings that is higher than the rate of inflation, then your money is losing value over the year.

With investing, you can beat inflation and earn around 8% on your money. Of course, investments can go up as well as down, but as long as you are invested for a minimum of five years and take a sensible approach, then you have plenty of time to ride the ups and down of the stock market and let your money grow.

With so much jargon, it's easy to put off investing. Here are five easy steps to help you start investing money safely.

1. Use a robot to help you invest

One of the easiest ways to start investing is by using what is known as a robo-adviser. Robo-advisers are digital products—like the best investing apps—that use algorithm-driven services to help you invest. When you sign up, the platform will take you through a series of questions to assess your attitude to risk and values - it will then use your answers to suggest ready made portfolios for you to invest in -  and then all you have to do is pay in whatever the minimum requirement is.

It is as easy as that. Here are some popular robo-advisers to help you get started:

•  Wealthify - start investing with just £1 
•  Nutmeg - minimum investment is £500 lump sum 
•  MoneyBox - start with loose change that is rounded up to the nearest pound when you spend. So, if you buy a £8.20 bottle of wine, then 80p will be put into your investment account. 
•  Moneyfarm - minimum investment amount is £500 
•  Evestor - start with £1 
•  Clim8 Invest - start with £25. Clim8 focuses on sustainable investments. 

2. Start investing with small amounts

You don’t need a lot of money to invest. You can open accounts with just £1, but try dedicating a small amount each month to invest. The easiest way to build the habit is to set up a standing order to pay in regularly. If you're working, then make sure the money comes out on pay day rather than the end of the month to avoid spending it.

Start with whatever you feel comfortable with, such as £25 a month, and then you can increase it over time when you feel a bit more comfortable with the concept of investing.

3. Pick funds, not stocks

You don’t need to be a stock picker to invest. Investing in a fund is easy, safe and your money is more likely to deliver returns. 

When you invest in a fund, your money is pooled with other investors and spread across a number of investments. 

If you pick stocks, you’re relying on the growth of one company to make you money, which is very high risk. 

If you're investing with a robo-adviser, as mentioned above, you don’t have to worry about picking funds, but if you feel confident enough to pick them, then start with providers such as AJ Bell, Interactive Investor, Fidelity, Vanguard or Hargreaves Lansdown, for example. These companies are like fund supermarkets, allowing you to pick your own funds and stocks. But before you buy, do your homework to understand what you are investing in. 

Many of the platforms all list best buy funds, such as interactive investors quick start funds guide or AJ Bell’s favourite funds list, to help you along.

As a beginner, consider passive funds - these funds track a specific index, such as the FTSE 100 and deliver returns in line with the market. They are low cost and low risk as no one is involved in picking companies for you. Active funds on the other hand involve a fund manager making choices for you and cost a lot more. 

Take a look at Comparetheplatform to help you compare fees and find the right provider for your needs. 

4. Use your stocks and shares ISA

When you open an account, you will have a choice of either opening a general investment account or an investment ISA. If you have yet to make use of your £20,000 ISA allowance which allows you to save without having to pay any tax on returns, then make sure you tick that box. Learn more about which types of ISA are available to you. 

When you make an investment return, you have to pay what is known as capital gains tax, but with an ISA, you don’t. 

5. Start investing now

When you’re investing, you're essentially saving for the long term such as moving to a new location or helping to fund retirement. Whatever it is, the sooner you start the better, as your money will have more time to grow.

And if you’re still a bit nervous, then take comfort in knowing that your pension is invested, so you are in fact already unknowingly investing. Putting your savings into an investment is the next step. Learn more about investing for your grandchildren for options to give your family a nice head start in life. 

How to invest safely

• Never invest in anything you don’t understand
• If something sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is
• Investment fraud is high, so before you part with your cash, check the Financial Conduct Authority’s site ScamSmart site for known scams and Take Five Stop Fraud for tips to safe with your money
• Don’t go into high risk investing such as cryptocurrencies - you’re more likely to lose money than make money
• Remember, investments can go down as well as up, so make sure you only invest if you don’t need the money for at least five years - that gives your money time. It is normal for the stock market to move up and down, so do not panic
• Investing in funds is a sensible approach as it gives you exposure to a number of companies and your money is managed by fund managers, so don’t try to be a stock picker - leave that to the experts.