Investor Snapshot - Elizabeth Hartree, Head of DC at LawDeb

What was your first experience of investing? 

In my early 20s I was encouraged to start an ISA and told that low cost tracker funds were by far the best way to go.  I invested for a few years and didn’t really look at how it was growing, but the fantastic performance paid the deposit on my first flat.

Has there been a person or resource you have found most helpful in your investment journey?

I read ‘Your Money or your Life’ a few years ago.  It’s often cited as a FIRE movement book, but actually I think it’s about how financial security can help you find your purpose.    It keeps me on track with my long term investing goals and reminds me to take care of the cost side as well as the more exciting investing side of saving.

What has been the riskiest investment you have made, or considered? 

I’ve counselled my (adult) children not to invest in crypto.   But my own riskiest investment has probably been my investment in my career – I’ve taken two ‘turns’: firstly giving up a very secure job (and defined benefit pension) to go to law school and train as a solicitor.  And secondly to give up on partnership ambitions at a law firm to move into the pensions industry.  Both worked out well, thank goodness!

Have you had any investments that have performed extremely well or extremely poorly? If yes, what were they?

My self select funds in one of my workplace pensions: I missed a letter from the Trustees strongly encouraging me to come out of a property fund so they could close it. It then went on to have amazing performance for a few years, so that’s a ‘mistake’ that worked very well.

What’s next for your investing journey?  

I’ve moved into more climate friendly funds and I’m now at the stage of trying to work out how much I’ll need for long term income when I stop working, and what investments are going to deliver that year after year.  I enjoy the strong dividend on my Law Debenture shares.  I’m also trying to work out how best to invest for the very long term when I might not have the capacity or energy to manage my investments, so I have peace of mind about health and long term care.

What would you tell your 20-something self about investing?

I’ve been teaching my children about the principles of investing, and how a slow but steady path will lead to financial security.  I’d tell my 20-something self the same thing.

Thank you Elizabeth. To read other recent Investor Snapshots click on the posts below. 
 
This interview is for information only and it is not investment advice. It is for use in the United Kingdom only. Investments and/or investment services may not be suitable for all investors. Capital is at risk and past performance is not an indicator of future performance.