The Know Daily - Thursday 6 November 2025

_{Read in 4m 20s ∙ Listening to Kat Velasco ∙}

Did you know that more than half of UK women have never held an investment product? We think it’s time to change that. With Trading 212, investing is simple, accessible and built for everyone – no finance degree or jargon required. Capital is at risk. Sponsored content.

✨ Thank you to Trading 212 for partnering with The Know to help close the gender investing gap and for keeping this newsletter free for all ✨

Engineers in the UK have turned mushrooms into musicians (yep, you read that right 🍄). By connecting fungi to sensors and bionic arms, a collective called Bionic and the Wires translates the mushrooms’ natural bio-electrical signals into melodic beats and rhythms. We’ll let you know if they hit the Spotify charts!

📈 Investing 101

Getting started with investing can feel like… a lot – but it really doesn’t have to be. We’ve teamed up with Trading 212 to break down the basics so you can feel confident, clued-up and in control of your money.

Why start investing early?
When it comes to investing, time is a bit of a secret weapon. Thanks to compound growth – when your investment starts to build on itself and grow faster over time – the returns you make can start earning returns of their own. Even the tiniest investments can grow into something meaningful with time. Whether it’s a home deposit, your future retirement or a bit more breathing room with your money.

How to decide what to invest in.
This really depends on your personal goals, how long you want to invest and how much risk you’re comfortable taking. Here are some of your options:

• Stocks – these are individual shares in companies like Apple or Unilever (the company behind home basics like Dove and Knorr). They can be a bit up and down in the short term, but over time they’ve tended to deliver strong returns. For example, the S&P 500 market tracker has historically doubled roughly every 7 years. Just remember – past performance isn’t a promise for the future.

• Funds & ETFs – think of these as ready-made bundles of investments that track certain markets or themes, like the FTSE 100. They’re an easy way to spread your money across lots of companies without having to pick each one yourself.

• Bonds – loans to governments or companies that pay regular interest. Think UK government bonds (known as gilts) that pay you regular interest.Typically lower risk, but lower reward too.

Busting some myths.
One of the most common misconceptions is: “I need loads of money to start.” You don’t! With fractional shares on Trading 212, you can begin with as little as £1. Another is: “It’s too risky.” Every investment moves around a bit, but spreading your money across lots of different assets helps smooth things out. And finally: “It’s too complicated.” Once you learn the basics, it’s not as tricky as it sounds – and Trading 212’s learning hub is a great place to start.

We all mistakes sometimes – here’s a heads up on a few to avoid:
❤️‍🩹 Chasing trends. It’s easy to get excited about “hot” stocks or the latest buzz in the market. But those quick wins don’t usually last. Slow and steady really does go further – stick to your plan and stay focused on your goals.
❤️‍🩹 Panic-selling during dips. Markets naturally move up and down, and that’s completely normal. Selling when things wobble can mean missing out when they recover. Try to stay patient – time and consistency usually do the heavy lifting.
❤️‍🩹 Ignoring taxes. Some investments are taxable, but an ISA (Individual Savings Account) lets you keep your gains and dividends tax-free. It’s a simple way for UK investors to make their money work a little harder.
❤️‍🩹 Not setting clear goals. Investing works best when you know what you’re aiming for. Whether it’s a house deposit, a future holiday, or long-term security, having clear goals helps you stay on track and motivated.

Ready to feel money confident? Open a Trading212 account and turn “I'll learn this later” into “I've got this”. And what's more, with our offer, you’ll receive free fractional shares worth between £8 and £100 when you open a Stocks and Shares ISA or an Invest account. All you need to do is deposit at least £1 within 10 days of opening your account 💫 Terms apply.

When investing, your capital is at risk. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and regulations which may change. This information is not investment advice. Do your own research. Sponsored content. Terms apply.

👩‍💻 Getting back to work: A new review by former John Lewis boss Sir Charlie Mayfield says major changes are needed to help hundreds of thousands of people who are out of work return to employment.

• The bigger story: The Keep Britain Working report calls for a joint effort between employers, workers, and the NHS to tackle record sickness absences and better support people with health conditions. Business groups back the goal but warn they need more resources, while the report also suggests reforming GP “fit notes” to make it easier for people to stay in or rejoin work.

🚀 Out of this world: Google is making plans to put AI data centres into space, with its first trial equipment set to be sent into orbit in early 2027.

🌍 Climate commitment: Yesterday, the EU's environment ministers agreed on the bloc's domestic climate target to cut CO2 emissions by 2040, amid increasing pressure to commit to a goal.

🛕 Preserving pyramids: Balmoral estate has urged visitors to “take care” as a stone pyramid commissioned by Queen Victoria to memorialise Prince Albert undergoes repair after eroding under high visitor footfall. 

💔 The phonedemic: New research from LoveHoney has found that 18% of Gen Z Brits check their phone during sex 😳

🧛‍♀️ Listen up Faithful!: It’s the season finale of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors tonight – can Alan Carr make it to the end? (He may be a Traitor, but we’re secretly rooting for him!)

⛱️ Did someone say holidaymaxxing?: Here’s the hack for making the most of your holiday allowance for 2026.

Here’s something worth knowing: you can kickstart your investing journey with free fractional shares 💫

We’ve teamed up with Trading 212 to give you free fractional shares worth between £8 and £100 – just for signing up to a Stocks and Shares ISA or an Invest account with the code KNOW. All you need to do is deposit at least £1 within 10 days of opening your account and you’re good to go!

That means you could own a piece of companies you actually care about, from tech giants to everyday brands, without spending a penny to start. Capital is at risk. Sponsored link. To receive free fractional shares worth up to £100, you can open an account with Trading 212 and use the code KNOW. Terms apply.

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Trivia answer: B) If recognised by UNESCO, it will raise awareness of the centuries-old singing style, with plans for it to be taught in schools.

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