We’d all like the top rates of return with no risk at all – but it’s just not possible. Taking a risk is an unavoidable part of investing. The greater the risk the greater the possible rewards.  The safer the investment the lower the rewards are likely to be. In short the level of risk that you are willing to take will have a direct impact on how much your money is likely to grow.

We all have a personal view on what is an acceptable risk.  We’re all different and what worries you might not give someone else a moment’s thought.  To help put your own feelings into words try looking at the statements below and seeing which ones match you:

• I want my money to be completely secure. 
•  I don’t mind if my money falls a little as long as it has a chance of going up. 
•  I only want my money to grow faster than the rate of inflation. 
•  I would be very worried if my money was worth less next year than this year. 
•  I couldn’t cope with seeing the value of my investment fall by 25%, even if I knew it could recover. 
•  I want to see growth in my money, and don’t mind if the value falls along the way. 
•  I like watching the ups and the downs of share prices because it means I have the chance of a good profit.

The challenge is to settle on a level of investment risk that you feel comfortable with, and one that will allow you to get the return you want. There’s an array of products out there catering for different people’s risk levels – so there’ll be one that’s suitable for you.