Five tips for women to invest You don't needs wads of extra cash to get yourself started. Using a realistic - and affordable - amount of money to get started is idea and many investments will take £50 per month or a £500 single amount, or sometimes even less. So by starting small and getting used to how it all works, can be a great way to get comfortable with investments. Understand risk and return Putting it simply, if you keep all your money in cash you are taking no risk but the problem is the potential return is low, said wealth manager, Philippa Gee. "If you are prepared to leave your money invested for a while, perhaps five to ten years, then you have to consider taking some risk," she said. The real issue for women who are testing the waters with investing, is to determine just how much risk you can cope with and never going for a scheme that involves more than your tolerance. "It's better to think this through carefully before you proceed, rather than in hindsight," said Ms Gee. Use the right investment Choosing the right investment is crucial when you are starting out. Opting for a tax-free equity individual savings account (Isa) can be the best approach, to keep it more flexible than a pension. It is essential that you consider for how long you may be able to lock the money away and whether you would need to access the cash in an emergency. While pensions have many advantages, if access is key, they may not be your first choice. Watch your money Just as when you have a house or car, you have to maintain it, and the same applies to investments. "You shouldn't have to check it every ten minutes - this is not Wall Street - but looking at it at least every six months or getting an adviser to do it for you, is a great approach," said Ms Gee.