Could You Just DIY?
Yes, you absolutely could just do it yourself.
For many people, the DIY approach to investing works just fine. Especially nowadays with how easy it is to open and fund a brokerage account. Not to mention the vast array of tools and information readily available at our fingertips.
It’s easier than ever to manage your own finances.
Why DIY Works
DIY tends to work best when your financial life is straightforward.
Steady income. Simple tax situation. Long time horizon. A decent risk tolerance. It’s really all you need in order to position yourself comfortably for the long-term, especially if you are patient.
Many DIY investors enjoy the process too. They like learning, keeping up with the news and what’s moving markets, and making decisions for themselves. For these people, managing their own investments feels empowering rather than stressful.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this.
Where DIY Breaks Down
The limitations of DIY rarely show up in calm markets or markets that are trending upward for an extended period of time. They tend to surface when conditions become less predictable.
As complexity increases, so does the difficult of managing decisions well. Variable income, concentrated positions due to equity compensation and tax decisions that span multiple years all add layers of complexity that are easy to underestimate. Major life changes and market corrections only amplify this. The margin for error narrows quickly.
This is especially true for people whose work demands sustained focus. Attorneys, medical professionals, business owners and senior leaders are paid to be fully present in their roles. They don’t have the time or the mental bandwidth to continuously monitor markets, evaluate tradeoffs and make disciplined decisions when volatility rises.
At that point, the challenge isn’t knowing what to do. It’s executing consistently when uncertainty and pressure are high.
The Difference-Maker
Most mistakes a DIY’er makes aren’t technical, they’re behavioral.
Having an advisor doesn’t magically produce higher returns. The real value is having a structured decision-making partner. Someone who helps you think clearly when stakes are high, tradeoffs are real and the right answer isn’t obvious. An advisor can provide a professional perspective in critical moments. They can help separate signal from noise, align decisions with long-term goals and reduce the odds you make an error when it matters most.
Most people that do it themselves make errors at the worst possible time - when the hidden cost is the highest.
The perspective an advisor brings in these critical moments are difficult to replicate on your own.
Advice is Scalable
DIY works best when life is simple.
As complexity grows, the cost of small mistakes grows with it. Taxes, timing, coordination and behavior start to matter much more than picking the “right” investment. This is where advice shifts from being optional to being valuable.
It’s not that you can’t do it yourself. It’s that the margin for error narrows.
The question becomes less “Can I do this on my own?” and more “Can I work with a professional that can optimize this for me?”
A Useful Reframe
Choosing to work with an advisor isn’t a knock on your competence.
It’s a question of leverage.
At some point, having someone whose sole job is to think holistically about your financial decisions across investments, taxes, timing and risk becomes less about whether or not you can DIY and more about quality control.
DIY can work. Good advice tends to work more consistently.
If you value thoughtful decision-making, discipline through uncertainty and a long-term partner who helps you avoid the costliest mistakes most investors make, that’s where my work fits in.
The goal isn’t to take control away from you.
It’s to make sure the decisions that impact your financial future are made with intention.
This article is for general informational purposes and may not apply to every individual situation. If this is a question you’re actively considering, a personalized conversation can often bring clarity.
