Making Lots Of Lolly Is Child’s Play

Whether you’re a newbie investor or a seasoned expert, it pays to keep your financial knowledge up to date.

In a really informative series of three to five minute videos, Gavin Lumsden, Citywire’s editor in chief, reminds you of the basics.

Here’s What You Should Do

  • Scan the list of headlines below

  • If a headline piques your interest, read the summary

  • If you like the look of it, scroll up to first blue link above the headline

  • The click the link and enjoy the video


The Lolly Investor Programme: videos 61-64

64. Quantitative Easing: A serious risk of policy errors

A lot is at stake for savers and investors as the Federal Reserve continues to pump billions of dollars into the US and world economy with its ‘quantitative easing’ policy.

63. Royal Mail: IPOs and flotations explained

The Royal Mail is the latest company set to join the stock market. But what is an IPO and what happens in a flotation?

62. £84bn and counting: the numbers behind Vodafone’s story

A history of Vodafone following the mobile giant’s monumental $130 billion sale of its US interests.

61. What is a stocks and shares ISA?

Gavin grabs a bag of fish and chips to explain what a stocks and shares ISA is and how it works.

The Lolly Investor Programme: videos 51-60

60. Bonds: 4 types “for your eyes only”

There are four types of bonds in the financial world. Here’s a quick guide to help you tell them apart.

59. Income Investing: an investment trust jargon buster

Investment trusts have a big advantage when it comes to paying dividends to investors. This short video explains the pros and cons.

58. The pros and cons of shopping with multi-manager funds: a video guide

‘Multi-Manager’ funds are often pitched as a one-stop shop. But what exactly are they and how they can help investors?

57. How to fireproof your savings against inflation

Inflation is the enemy of long-term pension savers. Here is what you can do about it.

56. Investment trust jargon buster: NAV, discounts, premiums and gearing

We explain the ins and outs, ups and downs of investment trust share prices.

55. Is the US an emerging market?

The US has recovered from the financial crisis faster than the UK or Europe and its economy is benefiting from two important trends.

54. Asset Allocation: is 2013 going to be a game of two halves?

I return to my football and finance theme for a half-year review of stock markets and what the recent falls mean for investors.

53. Why you should buy at the bottom of the stock market

Buying low, selling high is the heart of good investing. But it means putting money into the stock market when common sense might say no.

52. How to keep faith in investing (amid the mayhem)

Investing can feel difficult when stock markets are jumping up and down. Here are some reasons to keep you on track.

51. A new look at fund charges and why they matter

If you’re serious about saving for retirement you need to understand the impact charges will have on your money.

The Lolly Investor Programme: videos 41-50

50. Should you ‘sell in May’ and go away?

‘Sell in May and go away until St Leger’s day’ is a famous City saying. Surprisingly, there’s a bit more to it than first appears.

49. What is ‘total return’ and can it help me invest?

Total return is a widely used measure of investment performance. It can help you compare different investments but should not be taken at face value, particularly if you’re investing for income.

48. Why you should hold on to Standard Life shares

Standard Life results continue to impress. The shares are quite expensive after a fantastic run but there could be more to come.

47. Why gold crashed and what it means for investors

Gold suffered its most brutal sell-off in gold in decades this week. Are the precious metal’s golden years over?

46. A new take on ‘hidden’ fund charges

Are fund charges really ‘hidden’ as critics allege? Or are investors simply unable to see the impact on their savings? We reveal the truth.

45. Why ‘trackers’ are winning and how to invest in them

Is it better to invest in an active fund trying to beat the stock market? Or is it better to hop aboard a passive or tracker fund?

44. ISA 2013: why US shares are bouncing back

The US stock market has defied expectations to deliver a 17% return for UK investors this year. What’s going on?

43. ISA 2013: can you invest without losing money?

‘Absolute return’ funds aim to offer stock market growth without the angst of losses. Are they all they’re cracked up to be?

42. Top of the market? Don’t be too scared

Do you have a fear of heights and rallying stock markets? Time to learn about the powerful asset on the side of regular investors.

41. ISA 2013: how healthy are stock markets?

The stock market rally has got many people wondering how to invest their ISA (individual savings account) allowance before 5 April.

The Lolly Investor Programme: videos 31-40

40. Emerging markets: where does your money go?

Emerging markets are tipped to be one of the best places to invest this year, but where does your money actually go if you invest.

39. Beginner’s Guide to Emerging Markets

Emerging markets are back in vogue as ISA and Sipp investors look for money-making opportunities in a low growth world.

38. Beginner’s guide to China: how much should I invest?

We know China has undergone an astonishing transformation. How should we reflect its economic success in our investments?

37. Currency wars

The UK, US and Japan are trying to drive down the value of their currencies. What’s going on?

36. Why inflation is important

Investors need to keep an eye on inflation because it affects different types of investments in in different ways.

35. Survival guide to investing in bonds

Bonds play a big part in many investors’ ISAs and pensions. However, experts fear fixed interest stocks are treading on thin ice.

34. The beginners’ guide to investing in gold

Gold has been an amazing investment this century, beating returns from shares, bonds and property. Gavin takes a look at what’s behind its spectacular performance.

33. What investors can look forward to in 2013

In the last Lolly Investor Programme of 2012 Gavin explains why he’s positive about the prospects for 2013.

32. How to pick a good fund for your ISA and pension

There are thousands of funds out there. Here are some tips on how to find the best ones.

31. How to strike the right balance when investing

Sticking with the football theme, Gavin explains why investing’s all about achieving the right balance between attack and defence.

The Lolly Investor Programme: videos 21-30

30. What QPR tells you about price and return & bond bubbles

Gavin Lumsden visits Premier League stragglers Queen’s Park Rangers to talk about his 4-3-3 approach to investing.

29. How football can help you think about investing

Following his video at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium, Gavin Lumsden visits Chelsea FC to talk about asset allocation!

28. Should you sell your Standard Life shares?

Gavin takes another look at the shares following the third-quarter results.

27. Junior ISAs: a 10-point guide to saving for children

Junior individual savings accounts (ISAs) are a great option if you want to put something aside for your kids – the guide explains the basics.

26. What does a fund manager actually do?

Gavin takes a trip to Arsenal FC to explain the job of fund managers looking after the savings in our ISAs and pensions.

25. A beginner’s guide to ethical investment

If you want your money to do more than get a good return, ‘ethical’ or ‘socially responsible’ investing might be for you.

24. Why the ‘retail distribution review’ is good for you

Retail distribution review is an ugly name, but the important financial reforms it will bring are truly great news for savers and investors.

23. The truth about the pension fund charges ‘scandal’

Labour leader Ed Miliband has stirred up the debate over investment charges calling them a ‘rip off’. Are they?

22. Why equity income investing is a good way to grow your money

Investing in stable, well-run businesses that pay healthy dividends can be a good way to turn your savings into income.

21. How quantitative easing (QE) hurts income investors – and what you can do about it

Pensioners and others depending on investment income are the big losers in the central bankers’ war agains inflation. Here’s how you can protect yourself.

The Lolly Investor Programme: videos 11-20

20. What is ‘OMT’ and how does it save the euro?

An explanation of the European Central Bank’s latest plan to solve the eurozone crisis with ‘outright monetary transactions’, or OMT.

19. Two freaky facts about quantitative easing

Quantitative easing, or ‘QE’, is a hot topic at the moment, but do you understand how it works and what it’s meant to do?

18. What you need to know about risk and return

Here Gavin explains why it’s important to be comfortable with the level of risk in your investments, and how you can reduce risk by diversifying your holdings.

17. What kind of investor are you?

Bulls and bears, active and passive, growth and value are terms commonly applied to investors. But what do they actually mean?

16. How the stock market should work

A report by economist John Kay has shown how the UK stock market should be changed to work in everybody’s interests.

15. Why investment bonds can be a bit crêpe

Investment bonds are widely sold to the public, but are generally not as good as ISAs or pensions for the beginner investor.

14. Why investors should avoid ‘structured products’

Banks love to flog ‘structured’ savings products such as guaranteed bonds, but that doesn’t mean they are any good, Gavin warns.

13. What are with-profits endowment policies?

Gavin Lumsden casts his eye on with-profits endowment policies and explains how they work.

12. How pensions work (and why they’re like kebabs)

Gavin Lumsden continues his tour of fast food eateries to explain how wrapping your money in a pension is a good idea.

11. What is a stocks and shares ISA?

Gavin grabs a bag of fish and chips to explain what a stocks and shares ISA is and how it works.

The Lolly Investor Programme: videos 1-10

10. What are exchange traded funds (ETFs)?

ETFs have revolutionised investing in recent years, but make sure you know what you’re getting into, Gavin warns.

9. Investment trusts: a ‘hidden jewel’ no more!

Gavin Lumsden turns to Beefeaters and the Tower of London to help explain what investment trusts are and how they work.

8. What is a unit trust and how does it help me invest?

Gavin takes a trip to Hyde Park to explain how unit trusts work.

7. What are investment funds and how do they work?

Gavin heads to the Olympic Park to explain how investment funds can help take the hassle out of investing.

6. What are bonds and how do they work?

Gavin Lumsden concludes his introduction to investment income with a look at fixed interest stocks or bonds.

5. Understanding shares and dividends

Gavin continues his income theme with an explanation of what shares are and how dividends work.

4. Income is the key to investment, including property

Starting with a look at commercial property, Gavin explains how the main types of investment are priced on the income they produce.

3. The 5 principles of investment

Gavin identifies five simple rules that can help you make the most of the stock market to grow your wealth.

2. Facing financial risk

Gavin shows why inflation, increasing life expectancy and shrinking state pensions mean you need to take some risk to grow your wealth.

1. Welcome to The Lolly Investor Programme

In his first video in the series, Gavin Lumsden explains how saving into the stock market isn’t just for City slickers.

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