Premium Bonds. No wins.

I think Granny piper should ring the Premium Bonds helpline for a check.

Premium Bonds are worth the low interest rate equivalent as they have such entertainment value with a real chance to win a lot.

I find that almost impossible to believe grannypiper.

You have had £50,000 for 10 years yet never won ANYTHING???

Ok I realise that some are luckier than others but if you are correct about the amount and time you have had them, you would surely hold the record for the unluckiest bond holder.

grannypiper
I think I'd be inclined to sell them all and reinvest.
DH is convinced that only the newer bonds win!

Are they in a block?

£50,000 worth for over a decade and have never won a penny, Neighbour has £100 worth and wins at least once a year

Just won 2x£25 this month. Have £20000 ther. I know it's not beating inflation but it's very cheering to get a cheque rather than a bill through the post

Chestnut, I'm sure I heard someone from the Premium Bond office say that they are all still in the draw until they are cashed in or the holder dies. That was a radio interview about 2 years ago and the question was asked because there are apparently a lot of people like you and I with one or two bonds that sit there for decades never winning anything.

My uncle sent me £1 for Christmas 1957 and, in January 1958, I used it to buy a Premium Bond.
I have one from 1957 and it has also never won once. You would think it would win something in over 60 years. I'm just wondering if those old ones are still entered in the draw.

grannyticktock
Thank goodness someone agrees with me

People saying how often or how much they win is meaningless, unless it's considered in relation to the amount they have invested. I could tell you I have a savings account that pays me £300 a year interest and another that pays only £6, but how much use is that information by itself?

With PB your capital is safe but diminishes in real value. You are gambling with the interest, so it can't be relied on to give regular dividends - your interest may be double the average, or it may all go to someone else while you get nothing.

We win most months. Small amounts but it's something.

FiL had a substantial amount in premium bonds and frequently won £25. They were very good when he died and we had to cash them in - they included all the prizes that he hadn't claimed because he'd lost the letters.

On the other hand, DH and I have had just a few bonds since we were children and have never won a thing.

jennifereccles the average return is 1.4% which these days isn’t too bad. Ok some do better and some worse but it’s a bit of fun each month
And inflation this year has been 1.8% so even if you win the average amount, you’re still giving money away.
I’d rather keep my money somewhere where I’m going to get a guaranteed return, and spend it on actual fun.

It might be classed as gambling but that’s a slightly misleading term as our money is perfectly safe unlike other forms of gambling of course.

I win quite regularly, most months and I don’t have the full £50,000.

I am sure the odds of winning are no less this year than last.

As someone said, the average return is 1.4% which these days isn’t too bad. Ok some do better and some worse but it’s a bit of fun each month.

I've won 2 x £25 this year. I usually get something most years,
but I agree it seems to be getting less likely to win anything.

I win most months £25 to £125 and I bought the dgc premium bonds 2 months ago. One won £50 this month. Nice to have winnings tax free

I am lucky enough to have £50,000 and have won prizes every month but Jan and Dec - a total of £525 this year and I am very happy with this.
I get an email saying that I have won a prize and check on their web site to see how much. I find it all very exciting!

BTW I actually think that there has always been a £25 prize Callistemon??

I have checked the site and the biggest winners usually have over £35,000 invested.

Theoretically each bond has the same chance of winning the million and the odds are not as great as the lottery, plus you only lose a small amount with inflation if you don't win.

I have had small wins but keep mine for the bit of excitement each month, and they are instantly accessible if necessary.

A friend of mine has the full £50,000 in bonds and most months she gets from £25 to £100. Usually the latter. Rarely zilch.

I usually win at least £25 and mine is reinvested each time. It is the frisson of excitement I enjoy.

Have a £1000 bond. Won £25 in nearly three years. MawB you have done well!

nannytopsy Funds in Premium bonds are immediately accessible janeainsworth, which can be important. I am getting about 1.5% on mine

The funds in my Santander Select current account are immediately accessible and I get 1.49% interest on balances up to £20K, cashback on direct debits for utility bills, and every month there are different retailer offers. Last month it was 10% at Morrison’s.

Was it a £50 win Granny23?

The minimum prize used to be £50, then they got rid of some of the larger prizes when interest rates went down but introduced the £25 prize to keep people happy and invested.

Or not, reading this thread.

I had almost forgotten that I have Premium Bonds. I have had some from the start and bought a £1000 block with money received when my Uncle died. In the first few years I won 2 x £25 but not a single win for the past 20+ years.

I used to rarely win anything but in the past year have won £25 or 2 x £25 most months.

Could you sell them and repurchase a single block? That may stand a better chance.

Funds in Premium bonds are immediately accessible janeainsworth, which can be important. I am getting about 1.5% on mine.