SSIA dos and don'ts

You've been saving all this time, and it's time to reward yourself, either by putting the money away for a future date, or by…

You've been saving all this time, and it's time to reward yourself, either by putting the money away for a future date, or by doing something that will make a difference to your life now.

DO

• Buy an easier future by putting it in a pension or other investment

• Buy some time by taking leave of absence from work

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• Buy some quality time by getting a cleaner or going part-time

• Buy a career by paying for childcare, to allow you to go to work

• Buy a happy memory by taking the holiday of a lifetime

• Buy some comfort by improving your home or garden

• Get a good balance between investment and expenditure

DON'T

• Spend it on something invisible, such as an insurance policy

• Put it on a horse

• Invest in tulips

• Allow it to be gradually absorbed into your daily living expenses

• Buy or invest in anything without first doing your homework

• Buy anything from a salesperson cold-calling over the phone

• Buy a load of shares in your favourite football team