When investing you need to decide on the level of risk you want to take
This might differ for different pots if they have different goals and timeframes involved
In deciding on the risk you are willing to to take you need to ask a few questions that I cover in this thread
This might differ for different pots if they have different goals and timeframes involved
In deciding on the risk you are willing to to take you need to ask a few questions that I cover in this thread


If the pot in question is for retirement and thatâs 20+ years away you could comfortably invests 100% in stocks
Need the money in 5 years time you might not want 100% in stocks

In your investment journey you are going to see the value of your investments fall considerably
If 100% in stocks this could be 30-50%
40% stocks & 60% bonds might fall 10-20%
As long as youâre well diversified these will be temporary declines but could last for a number of years
If you would freak out & sell with a 30-50% fall, a 100% stock portfolio probably isnât suitable for you
If you would freak out & sell with a 30-50% fall, a 100% stock portfolio probably isnât suitable for you
Instead you might need to pull it back & include bonds which are generally lower risk & lower return
What level of return do I need? If you have built yourself a robust financial roadmap you should know the return you need to achieve your goals

If the return you need is 6%pa or higher you are probably going to need a 100% stock based approach to achieve it over the long term
Need a 4%pa return and you might be able to opt for 60% in stocks and 40% in bonds
Need a 4%pa return and you might be able to opt for 60% in stocks and 40% in bonds

So lets say you have a core of more certain income for your retirement from rental income or guaranteed pensions like final salary schemes.
These sources might cover all of your basic expenditure needs and some of the fun stuff in life.
You might then have a pot of money to invest that will provide the 'icing on the cake' for extra 'wild living' spending
You will not be relying on this pot so you can potentially afford to take a high degree of risk with it, as if it went wrong you would be fine
You will not be relying on this pot so you can potentially afford to take a high degree of risk with it, as if it went wrong you would be fine