Could your cash be working harder?

Cash is essential – but it can sometimes pose as a silent risk depending on how you choose to hold it at different stages of your life. While it’s perfect for having an emergency stash or a short-term fund to reach for, holding too much could end up costing you in the long run.

You wouldn’t leave your car running overnight wasting fuel, yet many let their cash sit idle and lose value without realising. If you have £50,000 earning under 2% interest while inflation is at 3.4%, your money is effectively shrinking. With speculation around interest rates falling and inflation remaining high, this could be a timely opportunity to reassess where your funds are held.

Keeping good habits with cash

Checking how much you have in savings is productive in keeping track of how you hold your cash. Lower-interest savings accounts may still suit your saving and spending habits, depending on your needs. Regular reviews help you see how hard your money is working. This can help you plan more effectively for what next steps could look like, whilst keeping you engaged with your financial goals. Fostering these healthy habits could help you invest part of your savings for long-term growth.

Considering further growth by investing

Investing means putting your money into assets such as stocks, bonds and other vehicles with the goal of growing your wealth over time. Data from Barclays shows there is a 91% chance shares will outperform cash over a 10-year period; and a 70% chance over 2 years. If you saved £10,000 at 2% interest, in 30 years it would grow to about £18,000. But invested at 5%, it could more than double that to over £43,000 (AJ Bell, 2025).

Whilst this presents the advantages of investing, it's vital to consider the impact it may have on your own financial situation. Talking to a financial adviser can help you with how to safely invest and experience the potential returns at stake. Moving into investing could be easier than you think. Taking an investing route informed by expert financial advice may make the process more seamless for you.

Seek professional support to help you

If you’re ready to receive support in making your money work harder, getting in touch with one of our qualified experts is a great way to get the ball rolling. With the right financial advice, you can unlock your financial potential and feel more confident about your life decisions whilst doing so.

Speak with our local experts by calling us on 01480 869466 for a free initial, no obligation chat. For more information and useful content, visit www.beaconwm.co.uk.