A Cash ISA protects your money from volatility, but not from inflation. If your ISA earns 2.5% while inflation is 4%, you're effectively losing money in real terms. Over time, your savings buy less, even though the balance grows. It feels safe — but it may be quietly eroding your wealth.

Surprisingly, no. Many FTSE 100 companies like BP, Shell, and HSBC earn the majority of their profits overseas. In fact, only about 20% of FTSE 100 revenue comes from the UK. So when you invest in the FTSE 100, you're getting global exposure, not just a stake in the British economy.

Not often. Over a 10-year period, more than 90% of UK active equity funds underperform their benchmarks after fees. While some managers beat the market, picking them in advance is extremely hard. Low-cost index funds like the S&P 500, which track the market rather than try to beat it, have consistently delivered better long-term results.

Most people don't. Workplace pensions are usually placed in default funds, which often invest in fossil fuels, defence companies, or tobacco firms. But you can switch to ethical or ESG options that align with your values — and performance doesn't necessarily suffer. It's worth checking what your future is funding.

At the S&P 500's historic average return of 10.5%, investing £500/month for 20 years could grow to around £380,000. Your total contributions would be £120,000 — the rest is compound growth doing the heavy lifting. This shows the power of consistency, time, and global equity exposure in wealth building.

Note: Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. These figures are for educational purposes only and not investment advice.