Investing

Have you ever stopped to consider how ethical your investments are? In the 21st century there is a growing emphasis on “going green” and otherwise helping to protect the planet on which we live; not only for our own personal future, but for the many generations yet to come. It is only logical that this thinking would eventually make its way into our investment portfolios whether in private pensions, ISAs or general savings. For the concerned individual and investor, this can only be a positive occurrence.

The UKs first ever ethical fund began in 1984. Growth and interest continued as people opposed the apartheid rulings of South Africa. There are now over 100 green and ethical funds that can be invested in. Many people would likely agree the worthwhile effect of investing in these funds if there was the chance to both make a profit and assist in the backing of ethical companies and projects.

Which investments should I avoid?

How you choose to invest – whether ethically or not – is a personal decision that can be made with the help of your financial adviser. If you are keen to invest ethically, there are a few types of companies which you may want to avoid; these could include those that:

Deal in the arms trade
Support oppressive regimes
Support tobacco companies
Pollute or damage the environment
Profit from gambling, pornography or the production of alcohol.

Which investments should I choose?

Your financial adviser should be able to gauge which type of ethical investment is best suited for you, but broadly speaking you may match yourself to one of the following outlooks:

Conscience decision investors: as a conscience decision investor, it is likely that your main priority is to avoid companies associated in activities you disapprove of. As shown above, this could be their support of tobacco companies or animal testing. If you fall into this category it might be advisable to rule out a number of “negative” investments before discovering which ones remain; this is known as negative screening.

Themed investors: a themed investor may actively seek out companies that – according to your beliefs – act positively toward society. Instead of ruling out “negative” investments, you might instead look directly for those you associate with. This is commonly known as positive screening.

Ethical investment and risk

As with any type of investment, you should consider the associated risk with your ethical choices. Your financial adviser will be able to assess your risk profile as well as finding investments that meet the criteria of other influential factors. This way you will be able to invest in a fund that suits your financial circumstances, stage in life, as well as your concerns and interests.

Charlotte Walker writes on a range of finance related topics, including private pensions.

An investment platform is a single place where all your investments can be monitored and managed. In the past investors may have had a variety of investments made with a variety of companies, each with a pile of paperwork; which made tracking the performance of your investments at-a-glance a distant dream. With an investment platform, this dream is a reality.
What are the benefits of an investment platform?

See the risk

Your financial adviser will perform a ‘risk profiling’ analysis to assess your attitude to risk before investing on your behalf. This ensures that your goals and expectations are matched accurately with the type of investments you make. Certain platforms, including Skandia’s platform, provide tools to help your financial adviser carry out this risk profiling in as accurate a way as possible.

A platform should also allow you to see the risk rating of each of your investments, which can help to minimise the risk of nasty surprises further down the line.
Track performance

By showing all your investments in one place, you can easily see the performance of each fund. This makes the whole process far more transparent, not to mention easier to manage. In consultation with your independent financial adviser, you may choose to switch or adjust funds as you both see fit as a result of being able to track the performance of your investments through a platform.
Switch funds

Some investment platforms give you access to thousands of funds from leading investments houses. This makes it simple to quickly switch investments, giving you up-to-date valuations of your progress. There may be charges for switching funds, although some investment platform providers do not charge for this.
Take control of your financial future

Rather than simply offering separate products, such as pensions, ISAs, and life assurance, an investment platform brings it all together in one place. This means it is possible for you and your financial adviser to see a single, transparent overview of your financial position, making it much easier for you to make well-informed investment decisions to plan your financial future.

Charlotte Walker writes on a range of finance related topics, including the benefits of using an investment platform.

Off the north-west coast of Africa lie a number of islands, known affectionately as the “islands of eternal spring”. More commonly, these islands are referred to as the Canaries. But it is easy to see why they have been given such a nickname; with an average temperature of 17°C in the winter and 24°C in the summer, the weather is fine all year round. Saying this, it can get much hotter when waves of Saharan air blow over from the continent. With conditions like this, wouldn’t you like to spend your Easter here?
Lanzarote

Picture awesome waves and pleasant sandy beaches, and you are well on your way to discovering Lanzarote. In fact, Lanzarote is well known for its water-sports potential, with many learning how to windsurf just off the coast. But Lanzarote isn’t all water and sand; it is also home to Timanfaya National Park. Here you can find a spectacular volcanic landscape complete with boiling bore holes hosting exciting displays of steam and fire. If that isn’t thrilling enough, opt for the camel ride within the park.

Top sandy resorts: Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen are great for beach bunnies and water sports enthusiasts alike.

Tenerife

Tenerife too offers you the chance to combine relaxation and exploration in the same holiday. Mount Teide is the most popular tourist attraction in Tenerife for good reason; it is simply breathtaking. On a clear day you can see the whole of the island, plus the other Canaries from the summit. If your legs don’t feel up to the challenge of climbing, there is a cable car that can take the strain for you instead. When you descend, take the time to unwind on one of many yellow-white, or black sandy beaches around the island.

Top sandy resorts: North of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is Playa de Las Teresitas, a Saharan sand beach covered with palm trees.

Gran Canaria

If you want to shop until you drop on holiday, Gran Canaria is the place to go. Get your travellers cheques to hand, and head straight to the capital Las Palmas for some intense retail therapy. With copious designer outlets and handfuls of cute boutiques, it’s likely you will end up with more baggage than you came on holiday with. But there’s no point in buying new clothes without the chance to show them off, so spend a few neon nights at Playa del Ingles and dress to impress.

Top sandy resorts: Anfi Beach is located at a hotel complex, but all beaches in Gran Canaria are public meaning you can visit even when you aren’t staying at the hotel. Soft sand and great facilities make this one not to miss.
Fuerteventura

Smaller than the other islands, Fuerteventura is truly designed for those who want to escape. Jandia is a top resort for couples as there is always somewhere to get a few moments alone. A plethora of restaurants makes candlelit dinners for two a romantic choice, whilst the 32km sandy beach is the perfect stretch for a moonlit stroll.

Top sandy resorts: Costa Caleta is the ideal destination for families. A beautiful horseshoe bay makes a safer swimming and playing environment for the little ones.

Miles Bumphrey is a keen traveller and has extensive knowledge of all things travel related including destinations, currency and travellers cheques. He is a freelance writer and publishes his work on a number of blogs and websites.

Finding the right financial adviser with the right level of knowledge and expertise can be crucial to increase your potential for success when investing for your future. After all, decisions about your financial future are among the most important you will ever make. It is sensible to ask a number of questions to ensure you feel confident with the investment advice you receive. So if you want to find an adviser who can talk you through everything from your “ISA allowance” to “pensions tax relief” read on to find out some of the questions you should be asking. [Read more…] about Getting It Right: Finding A Financial Adviser