Guide · Getting advice
Can you manage your investments yourself instead of using an adviser?
Many people can manage investments themselves. The question is whether investing is the whole problem you are trying to solve.
What does doing it yourself involve?
A self-directed investor chooses accounts, investments, risk level, contribution strategy and when to make changes. They also take responsibility for understanding costs and tax wrappers.
What can advice add?
An adviser can connect investments to retirement, spending, pensions, protection, inheritance or business decisions and make a personalised recommendation based on the wider position.
DIY may suit you if
The situation is simpleYou have clear goals and few moving parts.
You understand riskYou can choose and maintain an appropriate investment approach.
You are comfortable decidingYou do not need someone else to make a recommendation.
You will stay engagedYou are willing to review the plan when circumstances change.
It does not have to be all or nothing
Some consumers use one-off advice for a complicated decision and manage the implementation or investments themselves afterwards. Compare the service models before committing to ongoing fees.
Sources & further reading