I only started investing in my 40s/50s

Do you feel like you’re behind with your retirement plans?
Thanks not surprising, almost everyone I meet thinks the same thing. But you are wrong.
Am I too late to start planning for my retirement?
Is 40 too late to start investing?
Is 50 too late to start investing?
Do I have enough time to see the investment growth I need?
Is it too late to pay into a pension?
NO.
👉🏻 Looking for help with Financial Planning?
I am a Chartered Wealth Manager and Partner in a financial planning practice based in the UK. If you would like to find out more about working with us, please follow this link: go.novawm.com/getintouch
DISCLAIMER:
This channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice - James is not responsible for investment actions taken by viewers. Please seek out a regulated advisor if you require assistance (while James is a financial adviser, he does not provide advice through this KZbin Channel, which is not affiliated with his employer).
James Shack™ property of James Shackell
Copyright © James Shackell 2022. All rights reserved.
The author asserts their moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this channel and any video published on it.
0:00 Intro
1:02 Alice & Ben
2:37 Not Normal
3:18 People in their 40s/50s
6:44 Investment horizons
8:08 Not Alone

[@JamesShack]

You are normal! Please let me know about your journey, your struggles and your successes, in a comment below!

[@michaelleaver1766]

Thanks for the video,very concise and informative.Due to debt built up over almost 2 decades and the stress entailed,an employer who gave me a 50p total an hour raise in 14 years,i sold my property settled all debts,chucked the job in and have been trying to make concrete plans for the future,but at 49 in the current climate,things seem as clear as mud!! Interested in investing but realise the formula for everybody can't be entirely the same carbon copy.

[@kylebennett1928]

James - please see my comment below and the reply - apparently from you... You may want to look into this? - thank you

[@JamesShack]

@@kylebennett1928 It’s a bot. Please report them if you see them!

[@kylebennett1928]

@@JamesShack done - thanks

[@jmw20]

Add counsellor to your CV too! Great video. I'm 39 with a small defined contribution workplace pension I started in my early 30s. I will continue to pay into that, but I'm just starting my investing journey hoping to open a pension or LISA before I'm 40. Just trying to work out what's best. I find your videos so helpful, so keep up the good work.

[@stephenwalsh3708]

Hi James, I left you a comment last year how you inspired me to start investing. It's going great I plan to save £3k+ this next tax year. Why am I telling you this, because I'm 68 next month. Just get investing people! All the best Steve Walsh.

[@JamesShack]

Epic news! Keep it up!

[@wildberrygarden]

I'm 39 and only just about to start my investment journey, so this is encouraging. Thank you.

[@kevh7941]

Snap! At 39 I'm starting to think about a retirement at around 55. I'm probably going to invest £400 per month into the s&p500 soon. See how that goes

[@markeh1971]

@@kevh7941 Hi, I’m 53 and started my SIPP last year. I’m investing what I can and that is the best any of us can do. I might might never get to retirement, but my SIPP is inside my estate and I’ve decided who gets the benefit. Be happy and smile knowing you are doing the best you can and that is better than most. Good luck M.

[@stephen2203]

Here are some words of encouragement for those in their 40s who are wondering whether there is any point... I bought my first shares when I was 43yo. I had a mortgage and that was it. The paltry pension pots I had did quite well when placed into the right hands, in my case those were Fidelity, Phoenix and AXA, but they were later combined into a SIPP which I control. I also put a lot of effort into learning and maxxing out my ISA investments when I was able..... I retired ten years ago in my late 50s, although I continued putting a lot of time and effort into managing my investments. If you want to DIY then treat it like a second career, it will take several years to become competent and it is a realistic goal. When I started there was no such thing as KZbin. James' videos are a boon. Thank you, James

[@JamesShack]

Thank you for sharing this Stephen. It's a great example of what you can do!

[@Kalarandir]

I was in my mid 40s before I looked at my retirement and what I had to do about it. I was renting and had no pension. First on my list was sorting a home that I would own when I hit 60. Then looked at how much I would need if I wanted to retire at 60. This gave me my goal, and I am happy to say that 10 years later, and 5 years from retirement I am on track. The only change I have made is that having experienced lockdown I no longer want to stop working when I hit 60 but go part time. So now I will actually have more than I had planned on. Long story short, it is never too late.

[@JamesShack]

Love this Brian! If you can find a lifestyle Job that allows you to work part time it’s almost better than full retirement. Especially as it allows you to stop sooner.

[@TheBillaro]

exactly what i'm doing but in japan. 20k for a house? yes please

[@dancing523]

53 y.o. with a great career, and in 2020, my salary finally got to the mid-100s. I was ready to start investing, but then Covid hit, and I lost focus. I recently started investing in the stock market. There were days when I beat up on myself for starting so late, but the more I did that, the more depressed I would become. So, I accepted my mistakes and forgave the younger me. I can't say I know what I am doing, but I am learning daily.

[@djfearross4144]

COVID was a massive opportunity to START investing

[@jlbishop]

There is a way you can still achieve financial security and I would very much like to show you how. I am a financial advisor with a fiduciary duty to you - please reach out to me.

[@DrProgNerd]

It's like you made this video just for me. I'm a single dad, whose youngest just became an adult. I recently started my 401k. My house is nearly paid off and I have saved an emergency fund that could carry me about a year if I lost my job. Something else to consider with 'older' people (especially parents) is that we are less apt to chase 'the shiney new things'. Odds are that we've been through that phase of our lives and are now more comfortable living below our means. Not to mention that parenting forces you to be more mindful about money. I definitely regret not putting at least something towards my 401k earlier. I'm telling my kids now to get in the habit of contributing even a small amount to a 401k. I hope they listen to the old man.

[@jlbishop]

I am a financial advisor with a fiduciary duty to you - I would love to show you a way you could significantly improve your returns. Please reach out to me.

[@robi4514]

Great vid. 👍 I also started investing relatively late - ten years ago (in my mid forties) I had very little in the way of investments and pension and things seemed pretty desperate, but I started saving and investing as much as I could every month - it hurt, but over ten years I’ve gone from pretty much zero to a really decent pot and I may actually have a shot at a decent retirement in the next 5 years. Don’t underestimate what it is possible to achieve over 10 years with discipline and a sensible investment plan.

[@cureenc8662]

I started investing at 48 after a friend sent me a link to the book 'The Simple Path to Wealth' by J.L. Collins. Before listening to the book I wrongly assumed investing in stocks and shares was only for wealthy people, and besides I didn't even know how to invest! But the book broke it down and helped me to understand that it can be simple.

[@mjmdiver1137]

I work in the architectural design field and I had a conversation with a landscape architect many years ago. He said “the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is TODAY”. The same thing holds true for investing…

[@JamesShack]

Yes indeed!

[@chrisbarlow5968]

49y/o started investing in 2023. Looking to keep investing each year, started with a S&S ISA and I am now learnings about SIPPS. Going to try and pump as much spare capital in to these going forward each year. I have started with buyings shares but I am hoping to start looking at buying some global index funds to keep it simpler. Fingers crossed.

[@idiomatika]

I have nothing substantive to add here - I'd just like to thank you for lowering my anxiety levels a little (46 - no pension as yet, but that's going to change very bloody soon).

[@DanielAdolf]

I'm currently pursuing a balance between fat and lean FIRE with the guidance of financial advisor David Marvin Willis. By diligently budgeting and keeping living costs in check, I save a substantial portion of my income. However, I prioritize enjoying life, dining out, going on holidays, and savoring good food at home. With the goal to grow my income in the next 5-10 years (I'm 44), maintaining a savings rate of 30-40%, I aim to potentially reduce working hours around the 45-50 age range. This journey, spanning the next 10-15 years, won't entail a bare minimum lifestyle.

[@paulb236]

Thank you James - really grateful for the way you approach these topics and deal with them in a realistic way ie considering life situation, emotions etc.

[@lorenaolide9858]

Thank you! I needed this and I feel much better:)

[@mikehibbett3301]

Spot on! I'm 59, just cleared my mortgage, started late on good pension contributions, but will follow this advice. I have a sick daughter I am caring for but still have the space to invest more. Thank you.

[@jong5597]

Many thanks James. Watched this video and have now subscribed. Great advice and content.

[@chadzoe1]

Your videos are so interesting and useful great channel thanks for sharing

[@steveworobec5034]

Thank you for the uplifting guidance

[@humbledgentileimage4448]

Brilliant content, thank you! This gives me hope. I have a decent pension pot which, I’m trying to work out how to handle. My wife does not have a similar pot and now in our early 50s we’re finally getting in a position to do something about that!

[@andrefernandes6]

This is such a powerful video! I think this is your best one!

[@uselessvideo]

Thanks for this perspective.

[@garethrickerby389]

Great video and wise words for money and life in general

[@pabloa8961]

Excellent content and great message!

[@jamied8013]

Thanks for making this video!

[@David-tg8ku]

You made me feel so much better!

[@cisium1184]

Thank you for this. I'm actually American but I found this such a positive video that I subscribed anyway.

[@ginag5889]

Thanks for giving me hope!!

[@dianestephenson5637]

Great content James....as you say there's so much content aimed at those in their 20s & 30s, it's very hard not to feel as though you dropped the ball! I'm 54 and just starting to invest, reassured by the knowledge that these are my best earning years and any Investments won't stop growing just because I reach retirement age!

[@dave5905]

I really needed this video tonight. What a great find. I'm late to the video from release but the advice will always be relevant. Thank you

[@JamesShack]

You've got it!

[@samuelmarsh840]

Your like a general counselor as well as your money advice = such a top guy!

[@tanyapavlova4758]

@James I was about to mention that not many people in their 20s have 5k per year to just throw into an investment portfolio and then I watched the video. Yeah, you are absolutely correct with regards to both investment and those fitness Instagram. Subscribed

[@jimbob3823]

You are bloody good James! Clear delivery, great content, graphics and editing. Love the advice you are giving and I am very greaful for the youtube algo for putting your content in my feed.

[@JamesShack]

Thanks for saying so Jim. I’m glad you’ve found them useful.

[@maribeldeguzman1399]

just came a crossed with this video and I totally agree with you telling it's embarrassing to start investing in your forties since I just started my journey...I'm about to hit mid-forty and I am thankful to all the financial gurus who keep on sharing insights and tips on investing

[@dianakingclarke2248]

Thank you for this video,I just Subscribed ❤

[@richardshaw4336]

Superb videos James. I have subscribed to lots of American videos but its refreshing to have an English man doing it. Keep educating.

[@benking9593]

An older video, I know, apologies for opening up an old thread, but I've just come across James' channel. This is a great video, and very encouraging for people like me. I'm in my 40's ( just ), and I have very recently cleared all of my debts ( excluding mortgage), so I am very keen to now start investing and videos like this really help.

[@milesbennett9670]

really useful advice and content as ever James. - thank you.

[@JamesShack]

You're welcome as always!

[@awilliams2516]

Thank you for this.

[@ihsanqazi]

James mate, excellent content.. I think it would also be good in future videos to run some modeling & scenarios that if a person invested X amount today ( or in monthly chunks ) in Y funds then based on historic data & market outlook ( the ones which vanguard and blackrock produce for 5-10+ years ) the result will be Z in 15 years ( or longer ) time..... & then compare a couple of index funds based on same criteria ............ I know nothing is a guaranteed return but with some assumptions a few modeling and examples will be interesting to see... great work & great respect for you because of the value you add for us here at youtube and to your clients as well...

[@awkwardatlas5623]

Thank you for making this video. I'm in my mid thirties and have just started investing. I've been feeling so dejected and behind looking at all the Alice's on KZbin. I really appreciate the message in this video and it's really motivated me to increase my contributions and keep investing. Thank you!

[@Gjudxdkjyzddhjnr7091]

Great encouragement

[@maxsh9513]

Very inspiring video James, thank you for doing this, that really helps

[@JamesShack]

Very welcome!

[@barbarar5869]

I think that people feel life they have missed the boat and it's too late. There is maybe a sense a shame and regret. Thank you for demonstrating that it's NEVER TOO LATE.

[@kevinsteen9864]

Just started Investing after years of struggling. Got 2 business and as well as working full time, so i have been investing in myself. This video gave me massive motivation. Thank you for making it. Subscriped and watching your content.

[@daemianbox]

54 here and ZERO savings for retirement until past february. I had to emigrate and start all over from scratch at age 33. Had no financial education and was just living paycheck to paycheck. Like many others here thought that I had to keep on working until the grave, but after watching your videos and several from other youtubers, I decided to educate myself in investing and trading. I started investing last february (just 3 months ago) and set saving and investing targets for the next 7 years. Hopefully, even if I have to work until I drop, my future looks a lot brighter thanks to you.

[@vandanakamath4097]

Thanks James for exfoliating that so beautifully. I was certainly one of disappointed and dejected viewer.

[@iamjonezjonez4481]

Thank you James. I started investing in my 50's but do not seem to good progess. We are now approching 60s and would like to get back on track.

[@adamivey9103]

James. Thank you for your information. I was thinking I was way behind because I am 40 and have nothing invested. I am just starting. I now know better. I will stop looking behind me, because you are right, I cannot change the past. I need to be looking forward. I will definitely eep watching your content. Thank you so much.

[@iantaylor2382]

More great content James, thank you 🙏

[@MikesGlitch]

Brilliant video, thanks James!

[@JamesShack]

Welcome as always!

[@philc8pip1]

Thanks James, i really needed to hear this

[@JamesShack]

Anytime!

[@superman1081]

I love how you talk about the positive side of investing in our 50's. Other financial vloggers tend to beat you up!

[@nicholasosinski4097]

Good advice!

[@admiraldirtbag4336]

Amazing content. Please, keep it up!

[@JamesShack]

I will do - thanks for watching !

[@hxjohn]

Great videos 👍🏼

[@chrisb-m5203]

Great video 👍🏾...Always good content.

[@JamesShack]

Thanks for watching

[@Mark-dq5qf]

Thank you for yelling at me. I needed that. And also, my paramedic teacher told the class that everyone should think of themselves 10 years younger than they really are because of how much cardiac has and continues to advance. Life expectancy continues to grow.

[@MasterCamus]

Love this

[@sophietan4394]

Hi James, thanks for this video, super helpful and encouraging. Am sending this to my sister who just turned 50 and is trying to get her head around investing. Just to flag that a discouraging point is a presumption that someone in their 50s has a mortgage (being paid off) and kids out of the home, which is not necessarily the case (in either respect). While it may be ‘probable’, would find it more encouraging to add in the proviso of ‘even if not…’, just because (as you have flagged) it can be so demoralising examining your financial situation, that extra bit of inclusivity can be helpful. Thanks so much for your content, really appreciate the good work you are doing.

[@jondentieter9833]

10/10 vid - I'm late 40s so info is VERY encouraging!

[@JamesShack]

I'm glad you found it useful!

[@julianfranklin9306]

This is one of my favourite videos from you. The initial Alice and Ben graph is, as you suggest, astonishing. I felt badly for Ben who seemed to be running just to keep pace with Alice, who was standing still. The point you make a few seconds later about de-motivation holds true. But I felt a real "Avengers" moment when you later moved on to say "You Are Not Alone" [emphasis mine]. Yes, we are all incompetent, imperfect, irrational beings. Few of us have been taught the value of money, the value of investment, or the mysteries of money management. Thank you for publishing those statistics of your viewing audience - it does make me feel as though I'm not the only unqualified chimp in the room! Your channel is providing me with some optimism about planning for a future which is hurtling towards me (I'm 53 years old). I bought my first ever house last June. It's one I'd been renting for six years before. My chimp-like plan was to own it before retirement and either sell it and live off the proceeds, or release the equity in it (while still living in it) or marry a multi-miillionairress. Not terribly useful plans. Not a particularly helpful or optimistic strategy. I'm looking forward to our future financial planning session when you have time to fit me in. Like everyone else here, I need help! Thanks for providing so much of it.

[@viviluv5606]

I'm in my mid-20s with low income，your videos motivate me to start investing and save money for the future

[@lauraelia92]

This made me feel better!

[@suziekillingback9954]

Great video I am 41 and feel like I am so behind ❤️

[@JamesShack]

You're not, but you need to make the most of your time now!

[@saladcream1884]

TY. Felt like I've left too late (51 y.o.). From your vids I feel there is hope.

[@griso107]

Excellent video mate..very strong and interesting content 💪

[@JamesShack]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TheMichelex20]

I’ve watched thousands of finance videos on the internet. This is one of the first videos that left me feeling hopeful and not hopeless. Thank you.

[@lolawodjouatt3583]

Same here! Thank you for this video, super reassuring

[@sunnyside287]

30, just started investing. Definitely feel a bit behind. But! I have a third of a house saved up without any help and a small pension pot. I think what most of us forget is that when you’re in your twenties you aren’t earning much and still need to buy all the adult basics like first car etc. You also tend to buy more shiny stuff that you may not need. But as you get old you earn more, get more discipline, learn to budget and just get better at delayed gratification. So I try to feel proud of myself rather than feeling like I’ve missed out. These videos help a lot. I think we should try to think positively and take our own situation into consideration.

[@JamesWoodGuitar]

I didn’t even know about investing until last year!! I’m 43 and started investing last September. Now I’m excited to see what I can achieve for the future! Keep up the great videos James.

[@Andysfishing]

Nice click/view funnel. All good advice. I’ll be implementing some of it soon.

[@john1040]

Hi James, i fall on your videos by accident when i was researching into starting a sipp & i find all your videos so enjoyable & inspiring, i been investing from the age of 18 & i enjoy doing it, but your videos are fantastic please keep up the good work, happy Easter kind regards John

[@JamesShack]

Thanks John. I will do!

[@andymcall1986]

Just started my investment journey now at 36 and feel like I'm very late to the party. This video gives me hope, so thanks!

[@pistopit7142]

The only downside of this channel is that I can’t wait for another episode. Simply the best financial UK based YT channel at the moment. Pensioncraft also has good content but somehow you sound so much more refreshing James. Great work, all the best.

[@guitarsandcheesecake1632]

Great video........ the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is now!! What ever you want to do, start now!! I invested £50 a month in a pension in my late 20s. Payed for about 9 years. About 6/7 yrs ago I remembered about it. It was worth £50,000. I'm 58yrs old now. I've started investing property in the last 3 years. Both my parent's died. I bought a house and now invest about £100 A week. I currently have over £110,000 invested in pensions and isa' s...... it never too late. Just remember compound interest will work for you every year!!!

[@JamesShack]

Absolutely - compound interest and a positive attitude are unstoppable!

[@kenmurray25]

I am 44 years old, and only started getting my financial house in order this year. Up to that point I had never budgeted, and let myself slide further into debt every year. Now I have a plan to be out of debt in 2 years, and start actually saving for my future by 46. I don't know if I will be able to retire at a reasonable age, but my chances are better now than they ever have been before.

[@tomhancock4519]

Love the channel. Can you do a video on the local Government pension scheme please?

[@markjordan4826]

I’m 51 my company recently shut down the final salary pension where I have amassed a 300k pension pot. I also paid AVC’s where I have 36k. I paid off my mortgage at 47 and have been investing since, I have 35k in a stocks and shares ISA. I hope to retire in 4 years but expect when I get there prices of everything will force me to work on. I definitely think I started too late. Watching you content has got me really looking at the vanguard life strategy etf which I intend to start soon. Keep up the great content

[@firewoodlake]

Yes. Dont worry. It's okay.

[@robsalvv5853]

My parents instilled a great savings discipline in me, but they had no investing smarts beyond bank term deposits and maybe a fixed lump sum in a managed fund. I really wish I knew more about investing 30yrs ago when I started my professional career. Fortunately my work place kicked off a superannuation plan that I have always contributed to, so there is a decent super funded pension for my senior years. But I could have probably been FIRE retired in my late 40’s if I’d taken up active investing in my 20’s. Can’t cry over spilt milk right? The time to start investing for a self funded FIRE is now.

[@firewoodlake]

Good job. 40s is the best time to start investing!!!

[@adibbins]

Great content James, it's only now in my fifties that I've been able to double down, and put the UK max £40k/year into my pension pot, I wish I could have done it earlier, but I couldn't afford it and perhaps I didn't have the knowledge 20+ years ago to start doing it then. I hope I don't run out of working years, before the pot is enough. Thx

[@dorissteve912]

The stock market has been a really tough one this past year, but I watched an interview on CNBC where the anchor kept mentioning " TERESA JENSEN WHITE ". This prompted me to get in touch with her, and from January 2022 till now we have been working together, and I can now boast of $540,000 in my trading portfolio.

[@wilsonjudson1650]

That's right, getting in touch with a consultant during the pandemic was how I was able to scale through the crazy stock downtrend.

[@henryclinton9317]

That's massive. Can you please connect me with your personal broker, I would love to work with her

[@dorissteve912]

Like I said previously, her name is TERESA JENSEN WHITE , and you can reach her via her website.

[@dorissteve912]

Just run a search on her name, and you would see all you need.

[@henryclinton9317]

thanks for the info . Found her website and it impressive

[@ashleyhyne7027]

Hi James, excellent videos. I started investing really late (early 50s) - which is bewildering for a Taurean. However, just to give some idea as to how compound interest is working for me ... I invest £800 per month and actually really enjoy checking the progress of those investments. Over the last 5 months alone I have invested £4k. However, they have returned £9k in just those 5 months. As my pot increases the next 5 months will see a dramatic increase on the £9k compared to the last 5 months. So my message to everyone is keep going and keep watching the videos from James because it's all educational and it's all a positive. Don't get disillusioned or demoralised by those goody two shoes who had the privilege of sound advice when younger. The vast vast majority of people in the country haven't got a pot to piss in so the fact that you're setting money aside to buy a pot to piss in should be worth a good back pat for yourselves. Keep going.

[@quentonfyfe9289]

Really enjoying your videos James. Could you make one about how to choose between investing in an ISA vs a SIPP please?

[@kylebennett1928]

going to turn 47 this year. Lucky enough to have a DB pension that will currently pay me £13k in retirement. added to state pension, that just about covers my needs. last year I bought two cheap houses to rent and this provides a decent yield of around 8%. I only started thinking about retirement last year (hence the property purchases) but have never really saved and invested. I now have a small SIPP that gets £1200 a year and an investment product with high risk with another £1200 going in a year. None of this is mega money, but allows me to sleep peacefully knowing that, bar any significant changes, I shall be sorted in retirement. both my kids (18 and 22) have SIPPS and investments so I now invest vicariously through them. I consider myself very lucky. still have monthly mortgage to pay as well as all the increasing bills, but these are covered by salary and income from rentals. Thanks for the vids James.

[@shimmime]

Hi James, thank you for this video. I am in my late 40s, spent 20 years of my life in academia but was earning and contributing to a pension for some of that time. I am renting still, never bought a home, and am weighing up the option of whether buying is worth it now. I got into investing in my early 40s, but lost the savings I had. I rebuilt my career though and now earn a very good wage, and built up some savings. I do have some of my savings invested, but most of it is just gathering dust stagnating. After doing some calculations on how much money I would need in retirement, I realise I'm way off, so I'm ramping up efforts now to make my money work for me.

[@seismic6402]

I would say it is always worth investing as whatever you can accumulate will make your life much easier. There are properties available in non-prime areas that perhaps need renovated (for example available at auction). I renovated a flat that I now live in and I never had a mortgage on it as it was a cash purchase. Getting a place to live in and paid off is important, I'll be honest.

[@gerry2345]

I like this vid... I think that you will only feel confident investing when you have acquired some disposable income, I never really enjoyed investing until all the usual stuff were sorted i.e paying for kids, owning home, educational pursuits etc. and I never really enjoyed big jumps in salary. My mindset at a early age was I do not earn enough to be able to risk the ups and downs of the stock market, but as soon as I acquired some disposable income I was flying..

[@JamesShack]

Very true!

[@arunmenon6513]

Sound words as ever🙏

[@dmski2323]

I’m 24 now. Started investing last year. Don’t have a huge income but no debt also. Was amazed to see that I was in the 5% of viewership! Expected 10-15%. Got two separate accounts one for growth and another for dividends but building the dividend portfolio takes a while.. currently avg 30$/month. Def takes time but like he said it’s ur own journey. Personally, struggling with the patience and income

[@TheFirstRealChewy]

Assuming you progress in your field, You'll make more in your later years, even if some of that is due to inflation. Resist the urge to inflate your lifestyle at the same rate that your income increases. It's fine to want more, bit let your income increase at a faster rate than your lifestyle. This way you can save and hence invest more.

[@robkewley]

51 and found this reassuring and inspiring

[@rodlewis3544]

Wise words James- compounding is actually "magic". I started again at 40 after a divorce and am now 53. Maxed out employer contributions, paid as much as i could in AVC's to pay 20% tax. Invested in eqities - non UK and S&P heavy and even successfully timed the market a couple of times - including putting a lot into cash Jan 3rd and back in S&P 27th Jan. I have had to invest a lot and taken a fair bit of risk but should work out that i have options in 2-4 years to think more about how much of my time i commmit to working. Starting even 5 years earlier would have made all the difference. One thing i am going to do for my kids is make sure they start early with pensions and try and get a bit in there for them whist they are still in their early 20's

[@JamesShack]

Hi Rod - thanks for sharing! Divorce is a read kick in the teeth. You can be doing everything right and then suddenly you're set back 15 years. It's very hard to pick yourself up from it. But well done for your effort!

[@paddybrown1644]

Hello everyone... Just a real life encouraging email to say to live and start investing. Im a 47 year old dad who got divorced after 22 years of marriage. Never invested and also was the lower earner in the relationship. We have gone our seperate ways and now i have got myself a mortgage on my own which im proud about. I also started investing for the first time and this was in September 2021. Not a clue what i had to do but with many mistakes and trial and error i deposit something even if its £20 a month. If i can do it folks and i mean i had not even a place to live in for myself then aanyone can. Am I scared, yes. Am i proud of myself and what ive achieved, yes. Take the plunge and invest, move forward and invest. You can lose folks cause the banks will take your money if you dont. TAKE THE LEAP OF FAITH!!!!

[@anonnymous4684]

Thank you. This is a very reassuring video. I've never really thought about money that much and only ever earned an average income but now that I've turned 50 I've become anxious about how I'll manage in retirement. Or even if I'll ever be able to afford to retire. But I have managed to save up around £35k in the last 6 years (one of the few benefits of the pandemic and not having anything to really spend money on, as well as giving up smoking) and after watching lots of videos finally took the plunge and opened a Vanguard account in January where I'm in the process of depositing most of my savings across a couple of funds. I do feel that I've left things late, especially given the gains of the stock market in recent years, but doing something proactive has at least eased my anxieties about my standard of living in retirement.

[@JamesShack]

Taking action is the important thing. You're on the move, heading in the right direction. That in itself feels GOOD!

[@darrencurnow887]

You are the only one that you are competing against - love it

[@darrencurnow887]

Age 44 started around 5 years ago proper. Was saving 50% then 40% now 30%, as circumstances changed - my pension needs to support two, I hope I’ll get there. Love the videos, especially the ones that engage the brain to rethink.

[@bengarick]

43 years old and started 'tinkering' last year with investing (ETFs mainly but a couple companies). Currently have 2k invested and in the process of restructuring finances (£20k Debt - reduced from 50 last month), no mortgage, no savings and live in overdraft. Currently earning £80k plus 15% bonus and £5k car allowance. Consolidated pension sitting at £50k 2 year old and wife re-qualifying being a driver for making a change now with plans to put a few hundred a month in investing but priority is to get rid of debt as a priority.

[@andybarrett9384]

This is brilliant I am 64 and looking at vanguard. My current pension income is already 1900 per month but I need more.

[@leonardmaung]

Hi James , I did pretty well out of friends life , which is now part of the Aviva group. Unfortunately there is nothing out there that is similar. Some advice would be great ! 👍🏽😊

[@darrenjosephgregory]

Another great video James. I spent my ''younger years'' pissing it up and not saving or investing, in 2007 aged 28 I started working for a local authority and entered their pension scheme, not having a clue about it but knowing that I really should be investing in a pension. I'm so glad I did as I know understand that I have a defined benefit pension that many other people would die for. Last year I began to learn and understand more about investing when I inherited modest four figure sum. In addition to my LGPS pension I know have a S&S ISA and a SIPP which I try to pay into monthly and a Junior S&S ISA for my 11 year old son which has a modest 3 figure sum but I am hoping that he will carry on investing into and reap the rewards of compound growth. I am also very lucky that my partner and I have a house in the South of England with approaching 50% equity. I'm from humble working class background but hoping to build for the future and my son's future. Keep up the good work!

[@rossmacintosh5652]

I'm 60 and semi-retired. One part of the video that really resonated with me was the reminder that our investments horizon shouldn't just be how much money we have the day we retire. It's not like the day we retire we cash out and stuff our suitcases with money to spend over our retirement. In all likelihood our investment horizon is the entirety of our remaining lifespans. Yes, we will make withdrawals but not from the suitcase but from a pool of investments that continues to grow.

[@gingermattb]

Agreed. I think a lot of people who contributed to pensions before drawdown was an option have understandably been programmed to think about the commencement of retirement being the "end" of the investing phase, when in fact that is really unlikely to be the case for the vast majority of people in DC schemes.

[@tonyh1460]

Hi Ross, same boat here, 60 and only started investing in Vanguard last March, transferred my pension over too. Pretty impressive gains last year, big drops this month has wiped out all those gains however, like you said, the money will be in there for decades so should be fine. Also it's better than being in a bank account Time to buy more !!

[@rossmacintosh5652]

@@tonyh1460 Tony, I've been investing since the late 1980's and have seen lots of volatility but stuck with it to benefit from long-term gains. There will be challenging times ahead (even worse than the recent beating is guaranteed) but perseverance is the real game. Good luck to us all!

[@tonyh1460]

@@rossmacintosh5652 thanks Ross, I'll HODL as they say 😀