Make Your Money Work Harder - Investing Basics E01 Part 2

How do you make your hard-earned money work harder… without losing sleep?

If you’ve ever looked at your savings account and thought:

“My money isn’t even keeping up with inflation – how am I meant to save for a house, kids or later life?”

…this episode is for you.

In this UK-focused investing podcast, Vera, Marketing Director at Heathcote Financial Planning, and Steve, Chartered Financial Planner with 25+ years’ experience, break down the real basics of saving and investing in plain English – no jargon, no hype.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

What investing really is – and why it’s more than men in suits shouting at screens

Why risk exists and why “no risk” often means “no real return”

The main asset classes (“buckets”) – cash, shares, bonds, gilts, property and more

Public vs private markets – and why most beginner investors start in public markets

Active vs passive investing – paying to “beat the market” vs tracking it cheaply

Time horizons – matching your investments to when you’ll need the money

Inflation – the “silent thief” quietly shrinking your savings

Compounding – the “money snowball” that rewards starting early

Volatility vs real risk – wobbles on a screen vs not reaching your goals

Diversification – why you don’t want all your eggs in one basket

Fees & behaviour – the hidden costs and human emotions that can derail your plan

Whether you’re just starting to think about ISAs, pensions and long-term investing, or you’ve already got multiple pots and want to understand them better, this episode will give you a calm, structured framework to work from.

👥 Who this is for

This episode is especially useful if you’re:

A UK saver in your 20s, 30s, 40s or 50s wanting to grow your money long term

Sitting on large cash balances and worrying about inflation

Confused by risk, volatility and market headlines

Unsure how to start with ISAs, pensions, funds and diversification

Ready to stop “hoping it’ll be alright” and start building a real plan

📞 Want help with your own situation?

If you’re in the UK and want independent, chartered, regulated advice on your savings, investments, ISAs or pensions, you can book a no-obligation chat with the team at Heathcote Financial Planning.

👉 Book a call: 0333 335 6087
👉 Find out more: heathcotefp.co.uk

We’ll help you move from “I hope it’ll be okay” to a joined-up plan you can actually understand and stick to.

👍 Enjoyed this episode?

If you like learning about money in normal English:

✅ Hit Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes

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Coming up next: we’ll dig into practical portfolios, ISA & pension “wrappers”, and how to match your investments to real-world goals like buying a home, retiring early or working less.

⚠️ Important risk warning (UK)

This podcast is for information and education only and is not personal advice. Investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change in future.

If you’re unsure what’s right for you, please seek personalised advice from a regulated financial adviser.

📝 Full disclaimer & regulatory information

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Please ensure you fully understand the features and risks of a lifetime mortgage before proceeding. We can provide you with a personalised illustration to help you make an informed decision.

Some Buy to Let and Commercial mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Protection plans have no cash-in value at any time and will cease at the end of the term. If premiums are not maintained, you may not be covered should a claim be made. (Cover is subject to underwriting, terms and conditions, and exclusions may apply.)

Investments carry risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise due to market and economic conditions, including currency movements. You may get back less than you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future.

Heathcote Financial Planning is a trading style of The Mortgage and Protection Partnership Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No: 612049). Registered address: Olympus House, Olympus Park, Quedgeley GL2 4NF. Company No: 08734287.

#InvestingForBeginners, #UKInvestors, #FinancialPlanning, #MoneyPodcast, #HeathcoteFinancialPlanning,