Fearful of investing? Time to face your fears this Halloween

It’s time to celebrate Halloween, when people enjoy scaring themselves and others with terrifying movies, horrible costumes and disturbing tricks or treats. But it’s all in good fun, and make-believe, and no one is worse off when the party is over. However, investors who are scared to invest are certainly doing themselves harm over time and putting themselves at a very real disadvantage. Instead they should be facing their fears, and what better time to do this than the Halloween haunting time? In this article, we look as at some of the common fears that can stop us from embarking on what is, actually, one of the most important journeys of our lives: the journey to financial well-being.  

Fear No. 1:  I don’t know enough.

Being scared to invest in something you don’t understand is completely reasonable. Terms like equities, underlying assets, P/E ratios… We get it. The investing world is cluttered with technical terms and difficult jargon. That’s why M&G Investment’s website includes accessible educational tools and training videos to help you learn the basics, decode the difficulties and make informed decisions. Our Insights page is also packed with useful content to keep you informed and updated on everything you need to know.

Fear No. 2: I’ll be all alone in this.

Fortunately, this isn’t true. Our Client Services Team is here to help you all day, every weekday. You can also (and probably should) enlist the help of a good, independent financial adviser, who can give you personalised advice that’s tailor-made for your investment goals, your time horizon, your budget and your circumstances.

Fear No. 3: Investing is too much admin.

Some people are intimidated by the paperwork involved in starting up an investment portfolio. Don’t be. You can start investing online in less than 10 minutes with M&G Investments, using our easy-to-follow guide. Our clients are also automatically issued with an online account, where you can submit instructions electronically. We’re living in a digital age. Those piles of paperwork you’re worrying about are as real as witches and warlocks.

Fear No.4: I’m too old.

Honestly, the sooner you start investing, the better. An early start will give you the long-term benefits of compound interest, and a head-start in reaching your wealth goals. But that doesn’t mean investing is a young person’s game. It’s never too late to start… and, with the wisdom of age, you might also be more open to recognising opportunities and taking advice from a good, independent financial adviser.

Fear No. 5: I could lose everything!

Nothing is ever guaranteed… but you shouldn’t be scared off by sensational headlines or spooky stories of market crashes. Markets will go up, and markets will go down. It’s all a natural part of the cycle, and a natural part of investing. Keep your focus on the long term, and stick with an investment manager with a proven, consistent track record. M&G Investments doesn’t take large bets, but instead invests prudently, aiming to build up many smaller gains into market-beating returns over time. We have built up an admirable track record for delivering market-beating returns over the past 20-plus years.

Remember, too, that your money will be well looked after. The South African industry is very well regulated, and investment managers like M&G Investments go the extra mile to ensure our clients’ money is safeguarded. 

Ready to go? Speak to your financial adviser or call our Client Services Team on 0860 105 775, or email us at info@mandg.co.za