This segment was broadcast on 2 February 2017. Some information may be out of date.

Is it wise to borrow to make a property or share investment?

  • What is leverage — a.k.a. gearing — and how does it work?
  • Pros and cons of using it
  • Why it’s wise to pay down your mortgage

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Mary Holm is a freelance journalist, a director of Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL), a seminar presenter and a bestselling author on personal finance. From 2011 to 2019 she was a founding director of the Financial Markets Authority. Her opinions are personal, and do not reflect the position of any organisation in which she holds office. Mary’s advice is of a general nature, and she is not responsible for any loss that any reader may suffer from following it.