Pros & Cons Of DIY Investing Versus Investment Advisory

By the looks of it, Do It Yourself or DIY investing is here to stay. Historical hard selling by bank executives and the advantages of investing on your own using an app like Cube has made it easier for DIY investors to create wealth on their terms. 

In this story, we’ll look at the pros and cons of DIY investing compared to investing with a financial advisor. Towards the end, we’ll tell you why a mix of both is crucial to getting the best out of your investment.

What Is Investment Advisory: The Traditional Investment Model

Traditional investment advisory or the most common form of investment advisory available to an Indian investor involved a bank employee or salesperson who would sell them investment options.

Most working professionals relied on these advisors because they did not have time or inclination to learn more about finances and investment options. 

As a result, it was all too common to see bad funds or investment options being sold to investors. These investment options failed the investor because it was done to reach a sales target than to fulfil the investor’s needs. 

This hard selling and the rise of investment apps like Cube have helped investors take control of their investments. This is known as Do It Yourself (DIY) investing.    

What Is DIY Investing: The New Investment Wave

Investors these days prefer to understand the investment, choose investment options themselves, and manage their own portfolios. This is known as Do It Yourself or DIY investing. 

DIY investing allows investors to be in control of their investment choices. Above all, DIY investors are encouraged to be actively involved in tracking the markets and their investment portfolios. 

DIY investing primarily happens online because apps like Cube add an extra layer of transparency with clear information about fees and the option itself.

Read this blog to know all about DIY investing in India. 

5 Pros Of DIY Investing Vs Investment Advisory

1. No hard-selling

The DIY investor invests in options based on their needs instead of the sales target of a bank employee or salesperson. 

2. Low expenses

DIY investing generally incurs a lower fee because the DIY investor pays little to no advisory fees and other charges.

3. Access to more choices

Normally, investors only have access to a fund sold by a specific bank or AMC. However, DIY investing with an app like Cube gives DIY investors access to investment options like:

1. Mutual funds with advice Wealth First

2. Indian with advice from Purnartha

3. US stocks DIY - try it for as little as $1

4. US stocks with advice from RIA, Rick Holbrook

3. P2P lending with Faircent and LiquiLoans

4. Digital gold by Safegold

4. Understanding hidden fees

The traditional way of investing with advisory involves a lot of paperwork. The fees can get lost in translation if the investor doesn’t understand finances or the option itself. 

But DIY investing puts the onus on the investor to understand both the investment option and the fees. Investment apps like Cube make it easier by showing you everything you need to see in one simple view. You can consult a Cube Wealth Coach or download the Cube Wealth App.

5. Learning experience

The DIY journey involves learning by doing. Some would argue that this is the best way to learn anything, especially investments and finance. The DIY investor will learn about:

• How the markets function
• Various types of stocks and funds
• Making crucial investment decisions  
• Building a portfolio

Watch this video to learn how DIY investors can build the perfect portfolio using Cube.

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3 Cons Of DIY Investing Vs Investment Advisory

1. Making the wrong choices

There are too many investment options and selecting the right one can be overwhelming especially if the DIY investor is a busy professional. This can lead to bad investment decisions.

A mix of DIY and advisory is helpful in such cases. Watch this video to learn more about the importance of having a proven advisor.

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2. Not being objective

Your investments should be the one place where emotions should have no bearing. Getting emotionally invested rather than objectively investing in a stock or fund may have negative effects on your financial health.

A good advisor, on the other hand, will always have objective and fair recommendations for you to act on periodically.

3. Banking on past performance

It’s important to know about past performance but it can only tell you so much about the future potential of the same investment. Looking at the rearview mirror too often can lead to bad investment decisions.

This is where an advisor excels. They have the necessary insight to know that the past is not an indicator of future success. Advisors always have an eye on the present with a focus on the future. They will employ various strategies to identify the best investment for the future. 

What Is Better: DIY Or Investment Advisory?

It’s not optimal to pit DIY investing against advisory. A good investor makes the best use of all available resources. Especially ones that give you access to fair and curated advice like the Cube Wealth app. 

DIY investing has its benefits like low expenses, more investment choices, everyday learning, and more. But there are risks of picking the wrong option and not being objective about investment choices. 

Granted, advisory of the good kind wasn’t always available to Indian investors in the past. But a good financial advisor can help DIY investors narrow down investment options based on their goals and needs. 

Summary

DIY investing is for someone who is willing to:

1. Actively track the market 
2. Rebalance their portfolio
3. Understand investment options
4. Make objective investment choices

If you’re a busy professional, DIY investing can be difficult but not impossible. The Cube Wealth app makes it easier for busy professionals to create wealth. 

Download the Cube Wealth app or speak to a wealth coach today to know more.  

Want to learn how busy professionals can create wealth? Watch this video. 

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FAQs

1. What are the cons of DIY investing?

a. Lack of expertise:

Investors may not have the knowledge or experience to make informed decisions, potentially leading to poor investment choices.

b. Time-consuming:

Managing investments can be time-consuming, especially for those with busy schedules.

c. Emotional decisions:

DIY investors may make impulsive decisions based on emotions rather than a rational, long-term strategy.

2. What are the pros of investment advisory?

a. Professional expertise:

Advisors bring knowledge and experience to the table, potentially leading to better investment outcomes.

b. Time-saving:

Advisors handle the day-to-day management of investments, saving you time.

c. Personalized advice:

Advisors can tailor investment strategies to meet individual financial goals and risk tolerance.

3. What are the cons of investment advisory?

a. Costs:

Advisory services typically come with fees, which can reduce overall returns.

b. Limited control:

Investors may have less direct control over their portfolios and investment decisions.

c. Conflicts of interest:

Some advisors may have conflicts of interest if they receive commissions or incentives for recommending certain investments.

Conclusion

Pros & Cons of DIY Investing Versus Investment Advisory

The choice between DIY investing and seeking investment advisory depends on your financial goals, knowledge, and preferences.

DIY investing offers autonomy and lower costs, making it suitable for those who enjoy managing their investments and are willing to invest time in learning. However, it comes with the risk of making uninformed decisions.

Investment advisory provides professional expertise, personalized guidance, and time-saving benefits. While it comes at a cost, it can be an excellent choice for individuals who prefer to delegate investment decisions to experts and value personalized financial planning.