Educational use only: This platform provides information for educational purposes and should not be considered financial, investment, or legal advice.

Personal financial clarity

Where should your £20k go?

See what your cash and investment options could look like over 5, 10 and 20 years, then get one clear next action for your situation.

Your situation

Have you got three months' outgoings in cash?

Your clearest next step

Top up your emergency fund first

Open an easy-access saver this week and keep the emergency-fund portion available.

Get clear on your whole picture

Rates as of 28/07/2026. Easy-access 5% (Revolut), one-year fixed 4.9% (Marcus), CPI 2.6%. Source: Moneyfacts, ONS.

What the same amount could become

Scenario5 years10 years20 years
Top easy-access cash£25,526in today's money £22,518£32,578in today's money £25,353£53,066in today's money £32,139
One-year fixed£25,404in today's money £22,408£32,269in today's money £25,107£52,064in today's money £31,517
Blended 60/40 tracker£25,526range £20,421 to £30,631£32,578range £26,062 to £39,093£53,066range £42,453 to £63,679

Your recommended split

  • emergency Fund Top Up£4,000
  • easy Access£16,000
  • one Year Fixed£0
  • ss Isa£0
  • sipp Or Mortgage£0

Total: £20,000

What should happen next?

  1. 1

    Emergency fund

    No: keep the first portion in easy-access cash.

  2. 2

    Time horizon

    Three years or more: consider the longer-term trade-off.

  3. 3

    ISA allowance

    £0 of £20,000 used: the long-term portion can use a stocks and shares ISA.