Ian McFarland

Basically I've ended up with some spare cash (anywhere up to around £7,000) as I've been working ridiculous hours for the last few Summers, and I've still taken quite a bit of my student loan.

Anyway, its a waste of time having it in my current account as it earns me practically nothing so I want to invest it to get a higher return.

What I need is simple enough really, the highest return possible (obviously) and whilst having access to it instantly would be nice, I could live with having to give a period of notice.

My own bank (Ulster in Northern Ireland) have an ISA with a rate of 4.90%, which I have noticed is a bit poor actually, as National Savings & Investments have a rate of up to 6.30%.

I'm only looking at ISAs here as thats really the only thing I have an inkling of an idea about. Is there anything else I should be looking at? Or if ISAs are the way to go, is National Savings & Investments my best bet?

Pickles

i'll look after it for you

Matt Jones

HSBC online saver 6.25%

Spottswoode

I have an NS&I ISA, its the one moneysavingexpert recommended when I checked a few weeks ago. Really easy setup, just dump it in there and leave it.

ZanteMatt

2 mini cash ISA's with each have a maximum of £3,000 each. Sorted

Phil Jones

thought you were only allowed one?

Ian McFarland

Yeah, I checked moneysavingexpert which is where I found out about NS&I, just noticed you can deposit by credit/debit card, looks handy as hell actually.

Can you have two different ISAs open at the same time? I can't remember where but I think I read somewhere that it wasn't possible to do that.

Pickles - beat an interest rate of 6.30 and the money is yours

Oz

you are only allowed one.

Ian McFarland

Well if I'm only allowed one ISA, is there anything I can do with the other £3000-4000?

Matt Jones

The HSBC one I have is one of the highest rates around, what bank do you use?