Phil's Story

I began investing approx 30 years ago by utilising stockbrokers and IFAs (the worst thing I ever did!) This continued until about 10 years ago when I did a review of the 'experts' performance over the preceding 20 years. I was astonished at how badly they had performed, the stockbrokers in particular. I felt I must be able to do better, and my accountant agreed . His contempt for stockbrokers and fund managers surprised me. The advisors were sacked and I began managing my investments myself.

My early days contained all the usual mistakes and more. My education was generally learned the hard way! I tried newspapers , magazines, tip sheets etc. Over time my subscription fees grew as I tried everything from Vector Vest to Sharescope. Investment books were devoured month by month. Some good, some unintelligible, others useless.

When Stockopedia came across my horizon it was a revolution. I am not a pedantic number cruncher - I understand them if I have to, but it's boring and I still have a busy life. It was important to be able to quickly evaluate any stock to decide whether or not it was of interest. Stockopedia provided all this, along with new stock ideas and starting points for further research if needed.

My methods are fairly but not strictly systematic, and Stockopedia permits this type of process to be used far more easily. Whilst not a lazy person I consider I am a lazy investor. I expect to achieve the returns I need with only a few hours per week. Stockopedia allows me to achieve those objectives within the time frame I have available.

Where I have significantly changed is that I began DIY investing as a necessary evil. However, Stockopedia has made me sufficiently enthusiastic that it has become a hobby of mine. The articles and community also provide give me with a window into thinking far superior to mine.

Furthermore, Stockopedia has allowed me to diversify into small caps far more than I may otherwise have done.

All this has definitely improved my results, whilst reducing the amount of time I was wasting getting nowhere. Thus, my quality of life has improved too. I was becoming fed up with the whole thing and may easily have become an Investment trust-only investor without Stockopedia!

Sign up for Stockopedia. It will be the best money you will ever spend. Avoid stockbrokers, funds and tipsters like the plague!