Making money work harder is crucial, both for building personal wealth and for securing the financial futures of family members.

To combat this, Minted has launched a new web and mobile app, which allows users to buy and sell gold in more manageable increments. Through the app, users can invest as little or as much as they want each month, and withdraw the physical gold, once they have enough to make up a bar.

The survey also revealed a number of hesitancies around investing and saving money, based largely on understanding the options available, including precious metals, buy-to-let property, cryptocurrency stocks and shares.

For more than a third (38%) of people, the main concern around property was the upfront costs involved. For cryptocurrency and stocks and shares, over a quarter of people admitted that they did not have the knowledge of whether it was a worthwhile investment in the long run. Four in ten people were not confident that their current savings and investment would deliver any return.

According to the research, a lack of knowledge and worries about cost are holding people back.

Hamzah Almasyabi, Co-Founder of Minted, explained: “The fact that over half of people have no savings or investments is worrying and it’s clear that for a large number of people, it’s still very much unchartered territory. There are so many options available that finding the best route that fits the bill in terms of accessibility, risk and reward, can be tricky - especially for a first-timer.”

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive effect on general attitudes towards savings and investment, in part due to factors such job uncertainty and in some cases, more being available due to lockdown restrictions. The survey results show that the pandemic has prompted almost half of people (49%) to start saving money, and a further 35% to show more interest in investing in future.

Hamzah Almasyabi continued: “The pandemic has shown that our financial security is not a given and introducing another source of income, or saving, is vital. While there are a variety of options to consider, in a climate of stock market volatility and low interest rates, more unusual options, such as gold bullion could be the safest bet, particularly for first-time investors. Buying gold is simple, with no banks involved. A rise in fintech companies such as Minted, allows users to buy and sell precious metals using a smartphone, from the comfort of their home, and have it sent directly to them. With the average annual growth rate at 9%, buying gold and precious metals is not just extremely accessible, it’s also an easy way to save for the future.

“Broadening the appeal of savings and investment across age groups and demographics is crucial. It’s no longer the case that investing in the future requires large amounts of up-front cash and there are a number of platforms, such as Minted, which offer flexibility and accessibility. Even saving a small amount per month can be hugely beneficial in future.

“When considering investment options, it falls to the individual to educate themselves on the dos and the don’ts and important considerations can get overlooked. Too many people make the mistake of wanting an immediate return on their money but investing and saving is about being patient. A lot of investments increase their value slowly over time, meaning the longer you invest your money, the better the financial gain.

“Precious metals offer stability for those who are hesitant about saving their hard-earned money. Gold in particular has intrinsic value all over the world and is one of the oldest trading currencies. Buying bullion is no longer the preserve of the super-wealthy and we’re bringing it to the masses, whether you’re saving for yourself, your children’s’ futures or simply just looking to diversify.”