Increasing pension payments vs paying more into an ISA

[Arzosah]

I'll have a look at those company bonds - thanks - I'm assuming it's the same thing as corporate bonds?

I do have lots of little bits of crypto too - mainly that I've accumulated for free - but if bitcoin gets to a mill then I'm all set!

Corporate bonds, yes, absolutely, d'oh.

You have a bit of crypto! Coo ... good for you! I've never touched it, I have *no* clue.

As for pensions, one reason I don't have a huge amount is that when I was setting things up, I didn't know anyone with a personal pension, I didn't understand them, and information wasn't as available as it is now. As a young working class woman who'd fallen into a well-paid middle class job, I was very isolated in financial terms.

That box under the bed feels a lot safer! It's mostly metaphorical for me, that's kind of what my premium bonds are - if I can't cash them in, we'll have bigger problems than that.

[itsybitsy]

Until I've figured it all out, in the interim (and to make me feel better) I've set up a regular standing order to buy more Premium Bonds. Not that I've ever been lucky - I've won the grand total of £25!

[Arzosah]

That's good! Somebody gets picked at random to get the million pounds prizes, and at the very least, you'll get your capital back when you want it for something else.

[pseudonym]

Until I've figured it all out, in the interim (and to make me feel better) I've set up a regular standing order to buy more Premium Bonds. Not that I've ever been lucky - I've won the grand total of £25!

I've "won" £650 this year. every little helps.

[Bijela]

I have both, but push most into my pension. I have to as I didn't start my pension till 2015 and i'm almost 50.

My pension is not far off what I have paid in % wise and it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

[jansman]

I have both, but push most into my pension. I have to as I didn't start my pension till 2015 and i'm almost 50.

My pension is not far off what I have paid in % wise and it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Mine has lost a massive % and frankly it’s an issue now ( for me) Yes,it makes a higher % than ISA. However,our ISA’s are cash. Now I am using them ,let’s say, as a Prepper. But of course,it’s all individual.

[Bijela]

Mine has lost a massive % and frankly it’s an issue now ( for me) Yes,it makes a higher % than ISA. However,our ISA’s are cash. Now I am using them ,let’s say, as a Prepper. But of course,it’s all individual.

My ISA is stocks and shares which is new. Since I opened on the 20th Sept is struggling at +5.49% vs my GIA at +12.26% for the year. So at least its not below inflation. I've lost 0.5% on what I have so far swapped from the GIA over to the ISA as I have had to paid the stamp duty again. I'm not sure how long cash ISA will get a high interest. If we get a hard recession then the rate could drop just as quick as its been rising.

My variable mortgage has jumped up loads this year. We have it covered, but I can see a lot of people getting a big surprise when they come off a fixed.