For readers in a rush:

• Successful investing is a long-term thing – markets may rise and fall, it’s what you get back at the end that matters. 

• You can sign in to your Octopus Money Direct Online Service account anytime to track your ISA’s performance day-to-day.  

• It’s easy to transfer your money from another ISA or top up your existing one online. 

• We’ll keep you posted with regular updates on the latest market news and trends. 

So, you’ve chosen Octopus Money Direct to invest your hard-earned – what now? Whether you’re new to investing or just haven’t checked in for a while, here’s a quick guide to what you can do. 

Investing for the long term

One of the most important things to remember about investing is that it’s a long-term journey. Markets will rise and fall, and short-term fluctuations are as normal as rain on a Bank Holiday. But a well-planned investment strategy (yes, like ours) can help smooth the ups and downs, giving your money the best chance to grow over time. For an in-depth look at setting your strategy, check out What’s an investment strategy and how do I make one? 

Need more help? Try 3 things successful investors don’t do. 

Tracking your ISA investments

You can sign in to your Octopus Money Direct Stocks and Shares ISA account anytime to check on your investments. Once you’re in, you’ll see an overview of how your entire portfolio is performing, including: 

• Your funds – a summary of where your money is invested (such as the Octopus Growth Fund 1). 

• Money in and out – tracking payments and withdrawals over time. 

• Growth performance – how your investments’ value has changed over time. 

When you’ve been with us for three months, you’ll also be able to see your performance chart, which shows changes and trends in your investments. We update this every day. 

Top up your ISA investments

So long as you stay within your annual allowance, there are two ways to top up your payments. 

• One-off payments – to increase your investment holdings, you can add money quickly using your debit card. Simply sign in, choose ‘Make a one-off payment’, and follow the steps.  

• Regular payments – setting up a Direct Debit allows you to invest on a schedule. Sign in, choose ‘Set up a monthly payment’, and adjust or pause payments whenever needed. 

Discover the benefits of regular investing. 

Or grab your cash

It’s your cash, and you can do what you like with it. Just remember that if you withdraw money now and replace it later, it will still count against your annual allowance. 

• One-off withdrawals – choose ‘Make a one-off withdrawal’ to take money out of your Octopus Money Direct ISA whenever you need it – this usually takes about a week. Remember, with less money invested, your returns are likely to be lower.  

• Monthly withdrawals – or you can set up regular withdrawals to help with bills or other payments. Simply choose ‘Set up a monthly withdrawal’ and follow the steps. 

Staying informed

We’ll keep you updated on the latest market trends. Every six months, we’ll send you a statement detailing your investment performance, transactions and holdings. Also, our investment experts break down market movements and offer insights to help support your financial decisions in our quarterly market updates. 

Getting started with online services

If you opened your Octopus Money Direct Stocks and Shares ISA before 2023 and haven’t used Online Service in the last year or so, now is a great time to get started. To walk you through the set-up process, take a look at our quick registration guide.  

Confidence in your investments

Managing your Stocks and Shares ISA doesn’t have to be complicated. We’re here to provide simple tools, expert insights and a secure way to track your money over time. So you can stay confident in your long-term strategy and keep on top of your money day-to-day.  

More about Octopus Money Direct Stocks and Shares ISA.