• More than half of people surveyed said they feel stressed (52%) or overwhelmed (53%) when thinking about investing for the future.
• Money stress is already a routine part of life for many, with more than half (61%) experiencing it at least weekly, including over a quarter (27%) who say it impacts them daily.
• Nearly one in ten say finance admin is a bigger stress trigger than work OR public transport (8%).
• Money decisions impact mood (14%), sleep (13%), and social plans (11% reconsidered, 10% cancelled)
• People feel the most stressed, anxious and sad when it comes to unexpected expenses of financial surprises (24%).
• This outweighs when dealing with health concerns (24%).
• Londoners are nearly three times more likely to say looking at their finances is more stressful than the tube (21% vs 8%).

Commenting on the findings, Camilla Esmund, personal finance expert at interactive investor, says:

“Our aim with our ‘Tax Year Zen’ campaign is to help people to cut through the noise at what can feel like an overwhelming time of year. We want to make the key deadlines and allowances clearer, show why they matter, and highlight what one simple step could look like for different investors.

“Putting your money to work shouldn’t mean last-minute panic. It’s about building small, sustainable habits and understanding your options. With so many pressures on our personal finances, long-term saving or investing won’t always feel easy, but steady action over time can make a meaningful difference.

“Tax year end is a natural check-in point, and we want to help investors approach it with confidence. When people feel calmer and better informed, they’re far more likely to take positive steps – not just before 5^th April, but all year round.”

See below for ii’s five simple steps for those looking to take calm, practical action before the 5^th April deadline:

1. Top up your ISA if you can:  Tax wrappers such as ISAs help shield your investments. Investors can make the most of the current tax year £20,000 allowance by adding cash to an ISA before April 5^th – even if they’ve not decided how to invest it yet.

1. Start small: The existing ISA allowance is generous, but even modest contributions from as little as £25 each month can help build momentum and confidence over time, thanks to the magic of compounding.

1. Remember that you can keep it simple: If choosing investments feels overwhelming or time consuming, consider managed options – like ii’s Managed ISA – where experts make the decisions on your behalf.

1. Don’t forget the power of a pension: Pensions remain one of the most tax-efficient ways to save, especially if you pay higher rates of tax. Bear in mind, this is a long-term strategy – this money is tied up until retirement, but you’ll get upfront tax relief on those contributions. Maximise your workplace pension if you can – Employers must pay at least 3% of ‘qualifying earnings’ into your pension, provided you pay 5%. Plus, some workplaces offer pay in more, though you might have to increase what you contribute to receive it. As this is essentially free money, it can be savvy move, and means your employer is doing more of the heavy lifting. Your pension pot still has so much time to grow, so this can help turbocharge it.

1. Get the whole family on board: Investors who have children can also open a Junior ISA and start saving for their future. With a £9,000 allowance every tax year, this can help with big expenses their children might face in early adulthood, like education or their first car. Plus. it can be a fantastic way to engage your children with investing from an early age and encourage open conversations about money.