DIY Investing: Is It Really for You?

Many do-it-yourself investors don't need an advisor—they enjoy the process and successfully meet their needs over time. But there's a third group: investors who began managing their own portfolios, sometimes successfully, sometimes not, but are now questioning whether they're still on the right track. Complexity has crept in. Time is limited. Markets feel more confusing. They're not failing, but they're starting to wonder whether they're optimizing what they're doing and beginning to feel overwhelmed. Dr. William Bernstein argues that only a tiny fraction of people possess the four rare qualities needed for long-term DIY investing success. But even when someone checks all the boxes, the biggest limiting factor is often time, energy, and focus. Most investors underperform the very investments they hold—not because of bad products, but because of poorly timed decisions driven by emotions. If you're questioning your DIY approach or feeling overwhelmed by investment decisions, this might be the perspective you need.

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Timeless Financial Tips from 2023 As We Turn to 2024

Yet another year has gone by. With 2023 behind us and 2024 on the horizon, it’s important to take stock, set goals, and make plans – keep steadfast in your quest for long-term financial planning and wealth management success. In 2023, I shifted my focus to keep some core financial planning principles at the forefront of your mind. These principles are timeless and are a good touchpoint for whenever your financial resolve starts to soften. Let’s look back at these timeless financial tips from 2023…

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What Is the Cost of a Financial Advisor?

If organizing your financial interests has become an endless game of whack-a-mole, the cost of a financial advisor might be worth it to help you tame the tangle. Remember that it's better to focus on the value that the cost of a financial advisor brings you. "Free Advice" can cost you. Fee-based advice allows you to become the boss of your financial interests. Also, the cost of an independent financial advisor should cover far more than merely helping you buy or sell this or that security in your investment portfolio. Determine what the long-term value of financial advice is worth to you. Check out these insights that you can use to assess the value of independent financial advice vs. just looking at the cost of a financial advisor.

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