At InvestEngine, our DIY portfolios are designed to give you full control over how your money is invested, in a way that’s simple, low-cost, and easy to manage.
With just a few carefully chosen ETFs, you can build your own personalised investment strategy tailored to your goals, risk level, and interests. It’s like being your own fund manager, without needing a background in finance. However, if you’re unsure about making these decisions yourself, it’s a good idea to speak with an independent financial adviser.
For a full step-by-step guide, including how to get the most out of your DIY investing experience, click here
Why just a few ETFs can go a long way
ETFs are a great choice because they already hold a broad mix of investments. That means you don’t need dozens of them to build a well-balanced portfolio.
Typically people start with just 3–5 ETFs, each focused on a different area, for example:
- Global shares – to grow your money over time
- Bonds – to add stability and reduce risk
- Specialist ETFs – to reflect your views on areas like sustainability or tech
By selecting your own combination and setting the percentage you want in each (known as the weighting), you can shape your portfolio around your long-term goals.
The above is for illustrative purposes only, ensure you do your own research when looking to add ETFs to your portfolio, considering your investment goals or chat to a financial advisor for further support.
Designed by you
In the investment world, many professional strategies are built by combining different funds to capture a range of opportunities and manage risk.
That’s exactly what our DIY portfolios allow you to do:
- Choose your own mix of ETFs
- Set your weightings to reflect your goals
- Automate regular contributions with our Savings Plans and 1 click portfolio rebalancing
- Keep full visibility of where your money is going
And because our platform is commission-free, you can adjust and refine your portfolio over time without paying per trade.
Building your portfolio
Your asset allocation is the mix of asset classes (e.g. equities, bonds, cash) in your portfolio and it's the most important decision you'll make. It should reflect your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.
When determining your asset allocation, your risk tolerance, how much market volatility you can handle, matters just as much as your time horizon. Even if you’re investing for the long term, you’ll need to consider:
- How would you feel if your portfolio dropped 20% in a bad year?
- Would you be likely to stay the course, or panic-sell?
Simple, but sophisticated
What makes building your own portfolio powerful is the simplicity:
- Low cost – ETFs are efficient and transparent
- Diversified – Each ETF gives you access to a broad market or theme
- Flexible – You’re in control of how your portfolio is built and managed
It’s a modern way to invest, using the tools of the professionals, but made accessible for everyday investors.