Most of us like to know that we have money 'behind us' that we can draw on when we need it. Unlike pension money, it is not necessarily tied up for use at retirement.

Regular saving on a monthly basis can give very good results over the medium-long term. The purpose could be to provide a house deposit, pay for children's education, repay a mortgage - or anything else you have set your heart on. Alternatively, you could be investing a lump sum such as an inheritance.