Death & taxes
Every time you buy shares, you are liable for 0.5 percent (pc) stamp duty.
Like it or not it has to be paid.
If you are lucky enough to make a profit from your investment then you may be liable for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) - usually thought to be the preserve of the mega rich.
But first you must make an £8,500 profit to be liable.
CGT is charged at the same rate as your highest rate of income tax which could be 10pc, 22pc or 40pc.
The longer you hold on to shares (and I'm talking years here, rather than weeks and months), the less tax you will in all probability have to pay.
This is called taper relief and stems from the government's desire for us all to be long term investors in British business.
Investing in Aimcompanies attracts only 10pc capital gains.
This is another government ruse to make sure we plough our hard earned into the fledgling companies that populate the lower echelons of the London stock market.
The best way to minimise your tax liabilities is to use an ISA - short for Individual Savings Account.
Most people believe an ISA is a product, but in its very simple form it is a 'tax condom' (sorry for being so crude) protecting your investment from tax.
You can bung £7,000 worth of shares or other savings in an ISA every tax year.