It takes capital, time, and professional advice to build a good individual portfolio. Some people are better suited to do this than others. Keeping their money hard at work with good results is not easy, but if people choose to manage their own investments, here are some tips that should prove helpful.

Tip #1: Stay within the comfort zone. To most people, sleep is more important than gambling for a higher return on an investment. Their comfort zone may move toward the conservative in the years ahead.
Tip #2: No one has all the answers. Financial markets are influenced by so many factors that no one can predict beyond an educated guess.
Tip #3: Seek professional help. Make their own decisions. Second opinions are advisable. Refrain from becoming dependent on one advisor.
Tip #4: Work as a team with their life partner. Two heads are better than one. Should anything happen to one of People, the other is better prepared to take over.
Tip #5: Stay current. If changes are required, People will be in a position to take action before they get hurt. People can’t tuck their investments away in a safe deposit box and expect them to take care of themselves.
Tip #6: No matter how much People know about investments, keep learning. What was a good investment last week may be a poor one today. The financial world is constantly changing. If People can’t keep in touch, make sure People have advisors who do.