| It's not just about risk it's also about liquidity, what is the plan for the future. Will access to cash be important? Tie it up in property and you will only be able to get access to the cash when you have completed a sale. You can get into hot water with rental, it can be good but it can turn to shite with a bad tenant.
Fixed interest/fixed term investments can be good but how sure are you that you won't want access to cash for the full term?
Tax implications are also important, some investement vehicles are more tax efficient than others. Your mum may have a number alowances depending where the money is, spreading things around can reduce Gordie Browns slice. If she isn't using her current personal allowance you at least need to get that sorted by either filling in the forms so Gordie doesn't get his slice at source or get a form to claim the tax back retrospectively.
You need to ask yourself some questions before you take the plunge yourself or see an IFA. Some banks/socities offer "free" advice but they can only advise on their own products so you might not get the right product for you if they don't happen to offer it.
Get off this site and start having a look at usefull info. like the online newspapers money section, BBC site working lunch, moneysavingexpert etc,
Ray.  |