What’s the best way for you to invest?
Should you manage your own portfolio of funds, or have it managed for you?
This is a question that we’re often asked, given that we have different ways for investors to use our Upgrading strategy.
We publish the NoLoad FundX newsletter, which helps investors use Upgrading to buy and sell funds in their own accounts. That’s the DIY option.
We’re also investment advisors: we provide a more personalized and full service experience for our money management clients.
We create and implement a plan to help clients try to reach their lifelong goals. We work to make sure clients are invested in a way that’s consistent with their particular risk level and their goals, and we’re there to help them stay on track through up and down markets and through major life transitions.
There’s no one ‘right’ answer about how to manage your money. It’s ultimately a personal decision, and what works for one investor may not work for another. But it’s worth taking some time to consider which approach might work best for you and your family.
Find what works for you
Some investors focus solely on performance, and while performance is important, we believe it shouldn’t be the only consideration.
Here's what else to keep in mind:
You’ll want to consider whether you enjoy investing and how much time and interest you have to devote to it. After all, investing is a long-term commitment. Even during retirement, you’re likely looking to manage your portfolio for decades.
Many people enjoy investing, and they like monitoring their portfolios and deciding what trades to make. Others want to spend their golden years taking extended vacations and spending quality time with their families without having to worry about what’s happening in the market. Investors may want more professional oversight in retirement since emotional mistakes in retirement can be very costly.
Another consideration is your temperament. As famed investor Warren Buffet explained, “The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect.”
Over long-term periods, like 20 years, stocks have had good gains, but to participate in those gains, you had to stay disciplined through some very difficult market conditions. This can be challenging, and it’s one reason why some people opt to have their portfolio professionally managed rather than trying to go it alone.
You should also consider what works for your spouse and family. You may love managing money and have a great temperament for it, but your spouse may not share your interest in investing. Working with an advisor can provide a back-up plan so if something happened to you, your family wouldn’t have to take on this responsibility.
Don’t let the decision hold you back
Deciding how to manage your portfolio is an important step toward taking control of your financial future. But you don’t want to spend years out of the market while you’re making a decision about whether to manage your portfolio or have a professional do it for you.
If you feel stuck, remember that you can change your mind. We have clients who started out with our do-it-yourself newsletter and then eventually decided that they preferred to have us manage their fund portfolio for them.
We’ve also talked with investors who have chosen to manage part of their account on their own and they’ve invested the rest with us.
If you need help or want to discuss your particular situation with a portfolio manager, please give us a call or click here to set up a time to talk.
