Investment Literacy: What you Need to Know to Grow your Portfolio

When it comes to investing, what should you really understand? And how much detail is enough?In this episode, Marc Westlake and John McNicholas unpack the importance of “Investor Literacy” - not in terms of mastering jargon or market timing, but in having the clarity and confidence to ask the right questions, understand the basics, and tune out the noise. From overconfidence and anxiety to tax traps and hidden costs, they explore how better knowledge (not more information) can help you become a more resilient, empowered investor.Whether you're just getting started or you've been investing for years, this conversation is a reminder that it's your money — and having some informed oversight can make all the difference.Main Topics:Financial News and Investor Anxiety: How headlines and constant media exposure can heighten emotional responses, distort perceptions of risk, and lead to poor decision-making — and why turning down the noise is often the best financial advice.The Spectrum of Investor Literacy: Exploring the risks at both ends: blind trust in advisors versus overconfidence in DIY investing. The sweet spot lies in having just enough knowledge to stay engaged, ask good questions, and make informed decisions.Core Pillars of Investment Success: Marc and John walk through the three pillars every investor should understand: cost, diversification, and tax — and how these factors drive long-term outcomes far more than market timing or “hot tips.”How to Identify Red Flags and Hidden Costs: Why transparency is essential when dealing with advisors or products — and how to spot vague explanations, bundled fees, and pre-packaged solutions that don’t reflect your personal goals or values.The Value of Asking the Right Questions: You don’t need to be an expert in tax law or fund structure — but knowing what to ask (and why it matters) can protect your wealth, build confidence, and ensure your financial plan is truly bespoke.---Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Everlake podcast!If you'd like to work with us, head to https://www.everlake.ie/ and follow the instructions to book a consultation. If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with a friend or colleague and leave us a rating & review on your podcast app.LinkedIn || YouTube || X (Twitter) || BlueskyThis podcast is intended for information and educational purposes only and does not represent a specific recommendation or advice for an individual to follow. Speak to your financial adviser, in the context of your own personal circumstances, prior to making any financial or investment decisions.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

There are no comments yet.

Please log in to write the first comment.