How to protect your garden – and your finances – against threats

We check in on our garden’s progress regularly to make sure everything’s okay, and we should do the same with our money

As a keen gardener, you’ll know that now the hard work of winter is done, this point in the horticultural calendar is all about keeping an eye on your garden to ensure everything is as it should be so you can enjoy it in full bloom come the summer.

Checking in every so often not only gives you peace of mind, but it also allows you to get the most out of your garden long into the future – and our personal finances should be no different. That’s why checking your pensions and investments are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is one of the most sensible things you can do for total peace of mind. Because when you’ve worked so hard, you deserve to be able to enjoy all the fruits of your labour without having to worry about a single thing.

The perfect, bountiful garden doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of hundreds of man hours of diligent work each year, kneeling on a pad with a cup of tea on one side and the radio on the other. Thankfully, it’s all worth it as there’s so much pleasure to be had from nurturing a tiny seed into a strong, healthy plant. But you know better than anyone that it takes a level of vigilance that to others may seem effortless.

Naturally, plants need the right amount of light, food and water to thrive, but they also need your constant attention to fend off threats from the elements and pests. When it comes to protecting your plants, shielding them from frost or saving them from slugs and snails is all part and parcel. And, all being well, your hard work is rewarded with beautiful plants, flowers or vegetables.

Shield your money

Just like your garden, your money needs protection from its own set of risks, like your pension or investment firm going bust. That’s where FSCS comes in. FSCS is a completely free and independent service that protects you if your financial firm goes out of business. FSCS protects lots of financial products like pensions, investments, bank, building society and credit union accounts.

Of course, this isn’t about telling you what to do with your money or making you worry about potential financial trouble. It’s quite the opposite – FSCS can give you peace of mind with a crucial layer of protection. That’s why, as part of your yearly financial MOT, you should check your pensions and investments are FSCS protected.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme – check your money is protected

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FSCS protects your money when providers go out of business - so if you already have a pension or investment, or you’re thinking about getting one, it’s important to check that your provider and product is FSCS protected. FSCS is a free service and independent of the financial services industry.