Easily distracted at the best of times, my personal finances are no match to the fiery dwarf and sauce fest on the tele.
If you’ve never seen it, part of the appeal of Game of Thrones is never quite knowing when your favourite mortal is going to run out of luck and get the chop (literally in most cases).
It’s a bit like the unforgiving world of fund management, but with more dragons and less calumny.
You’re also unfailingly shocked by new allegiances. Tyrion Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen together at the slave pit! Jason Pidcock leaves Newton for Jupiter!
Which brings me to SHAM, the continuing story of a (mostly clueless) financial journalist trying to invest his meagre ISA. You see, if I’m going to talk the talk, I might as well, you know, walk the walk.
I’d fancy myself a modern world version of GOT trailblazer Jon Snow, perhaps. Though like him, I know nothing (and it all ends in tears).
Below, my squire, is the secrets you seek – yes, my current ISA in full.
| Fund | % |
| BlackRock Asia Special Situations | 3.4 |
| BlackRock European Dynamic | 7.5 |
| CF Woodford Equity Income | 14.4 |
| First State Global Emerging Market Leaders | 24.2 |
| Invesco Perpetual Corporate Bond | 11.1 |
| Invesco Perpetual Income | 16.6 |
| Investec Enhanced Natural Resources | 4.6 |
| JO Hambro UK Equity Income | 6.9 |
| M&G Recovery | 1.5 |
| Newton Real Return | 6 |
| Schroder Tokyo | 3.5 |
So there you go, a few familiar names, mostly safe choices and it’s performed pretty well in recent years. The big question I’m grappling with now is how would I protect myself if markets all go, well, a bit Dornish?
