In the traditional investment landscape, financial advisors have long held a prominent role in guiding individuals’ financial decisions. Their so-called expertise, experience, and access to financial markets have been regarded as valuable assets. However, as the landscape evolves and new opportunities emerge, there is a growing need to challenge the status quo.
At Angel Publishing, we believe that individuals have the power to take control of their financial destiny. We specialize in providing education, insights, and resources that empower you to make informed investment decisions. Angel Publishing has been providing independent investment insight to its loyal audience for over two decades now.
Our company spawned from:
1) the daring idea that the traditional investing “wisdom” you’ve been force-fed by the mainstream media, Wall Street, and so-called financial experts is designed to line their pockets, not yours.
2) the simple notion that the only way to generate true, lasting wealth is to take financial matters into your own hands.
The cold hard truth about getting rich in today’s economy is that no one is going to do it for you. There is not a single financial advisor in the world who cares more about your bank account balance than their own. That’s the cold hard truth.
Hopefully this report serves as a guide to why you should consider ditching your money manager and embracing a self-directed approach to investing.
In the following sections, we will explore the high costs associated with financial advisors, the limitations of their services, and the advantages of taking charge of your own financial journey. We will delve into the rise of the investment newsletter industry and the educational opportunities it offers. By the end, you will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to build your own financial future.
Join us on this journey of empowerment, as we uncover the potential benefits and rewards of taking control of your financial path. Let’s challenge the traditional investment paradigm and discover the freedom that comes with making your own investment decisions.
The High Costs of Financial Advisors: Is It Worth It?
You see, decades of data show that the vast majority (close to 90%) of financial advisors – many of who are egregiously compensated and ivy league educated – do not beat basic market benchmarks like the S&P 500.
Yet these “professionals” have no problem charging fixed-rate fees that can average over $10,000 a year … In some cases, much more.
The average costs associated with financial advisors can vary depending on factors such as the advisor’s experience, the level of service provided, and the assets under management. There are three main fee structures.
Fee-based advisors charge a percentage of assets under management (AUM). The AUM fee is typically between 0.5% and 2%. For example, if you have $100,000 invested with a fee-based advisor who charges 1% AUM, you would pay $1,000 per year in fees.
Commission-based advisors earn money when you buy or sell investments. The commission is typically a percentage of the amount you invest or trade. For example, if you buy $10,000 worth of stocks through a commission-based advisor who charges 1%, you would pay $100 in commissions.
Flat-fee advisors charge a fixed fee for their services. The flat fee typically ranges from $1,000 to $3,000. For example, if you hire a flat-fee advisor to create a financial plan for you, you would typically pay $2,000.
Generally, financial advisors charge a percentage of the assets they manage, typically ranging from 0.5% to 2% per year. For example, if you have $100,000 invested and your advisor charges a 1% fee, you would pay $1,000 annually for their services. If you think this doesn’t sound like much, consider that these fees have risen from previous years. In fact, just a few years prior, the average fee was 0.95%.
This uptick may seem insignificant, but when compounded over years, this increase eats into your potential earnings significantly. For smaller accounts around $50,000, the average fee is even higher, at 1.18%, or $590 a year.
In addition to asset-based fees, financial advisors may also charge transaction fees, commissions on trades, or fees for specific services such as financial planning or portfolio rebalancing. These costs can add up over time, potentially eroding your investment returns.
Now, let’s not forget about other associated costs. In addition to paying the advisor, you’ll also be responsible for brokerage, custodial, and other third-party fees. For instance, if a financial advisor uses mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in your account, you’ll have to pay costs associated with those funds in addition to the fee that you pay your advisor. The average cost of a mutual fund is 1.25%, though low-cost funds can cost less than 0.50%. A 1% mutual fund fee can cost an investor as much as $590,000 over 40 years.
While financial advisors offer a feeling of safety, it’s important to be aware of the limitations of their services.
Limitations of Financial Advisors
There are a few different limitations that financial advisors have when it comes to paving your path to financial freedom. The first, and most glaring is, that they’re not you. They may know you, but at the end of the day, it’s very rare that an advisor’s goals are perfectly aligned with their investors.
Another major limitation is the cost of financial advisors. As we just discussed, the fees charged by financial advisors can be substantial, especially when considered over a long-term period. These costs can significantly impact your overall investment returns. The most expensive investment newsletter you will come across is in the ball park of $5,000. If you’re actively investing in the market, $5,000 for a newsletter compared to the tens-of-thousands of dollars in fees a money manager may end up costing.
There is also the potential conflicts of interest. Financial advisors often receive commissions or incentives from certain investment products or financial institutions. This could create a potential conflict of interest, as their recommendations may not always align with your best interests. Even if they don’t have an ulterior motive, it’s difficult to have complete peace of mind that they don’t. If you’re managing your finances, you can know for certain there are no ulterior motives.
We can’t forget about the lazy “one-size-fits-all” approach. Money managers often work with a diverse range of clients and may adopt a general approach that may not fully align with your unique financial goals, risk tolerance, or investment preferences. At the end of the day, you’re not their only client. It’s tough to say whether or not they’re giving you recommendations that cater to your investment goals or just using a cookie cutter approach.
And the most glaring limitation of having a financial advisor? A lack of education.
I’m sure you’ve heard the adage give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he can eat for a lifetime. That’s part of our philosophy when it comes to investing. By actively engaging in and managing your investments, you develop a deeper understanding of financial concepts, investment principles, and economic factors. This knowledge builds financial literacy and self-reliance, equipping you with skills that can benefit you throughout your lifetime.
Simply put, depending solely on a financial advisor can leave you without a deep understanding of the investment strategies employed on your behalf. This can hinder your ability to make informed decisions or adapt your investment approach as needed.
The Underperformance of Active Money Managers
A 2023 report showed that 79% of active mutual fund managers underperformed the S&P 500 last year. This reflects an 86% jump in underperformance over the past 10 years. This means that even with the hefty fees they charge, a significant majority of money managers are unable to beat the performance of the general market, represented by indices like the S&P 500. What’s more, this report marked the 12th consecutive year that the average actively managed large-cap fund underperformed the S&P 500.
The S&P 500’s return for the year up to June 2023 was 12.14%, which included a price return of 11.31% and a dividend return of 0.83%3. So, not only are you paying significant fees to money managers, but they are also failing to outperform the market on average, which you could invest in at a fraction of the cost through low-fee index funds or ETFs. And this isn’t an anomaly, either.
Most financial advisors want you to think that you can’t do what they do. In a phone interview with MorningStar, Anu Ganti, head of U.S. index investment strategy at S&P Dow Jones said “Beating the benchmark is very difficult – and especially difficult over time.”
While it’s not as simple as ABC 123, taking your financial journey into your own hands isn’t as difficult as they want you to believe.
Taking Charge of Your Own Financial Journey
On the contrary, managing your own finances comes with several advantages. The most important is the cost savings. By managing your own finances, you’ll save all of the money you would otherwise spend on fees and commissions charged by financial advisors. By keeping this money in your pocket, you’re allowing for greater long-term wealth accumulation.
This will also give you enhanced control. Taking control of your financial decisions gives you the power to align your investments with your specific goals, risk tolerance, and values. You can choose the investments that resonate with you, adjust your portfolio as needed, and react swiftly to market conditions or changing personal circumstances. You’re not beholden to the whims of your financial advisor and whatever company his boss is telling him to push.
As we mentioned before, when you hire a financial advisor you miss out on the chance for education. When you’re educated, you’re empowered.
Taking your finances into your own hands provides an opportunity for continuous learning and growth. It allows you to deepen your understanding of financial markets, investment strategies, and economic trends. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and become a more confident investor. Not only does taking control provide you with empowerment, it enables flexibility and agility.
When you’re at the steering wheel, you can adapt your investment strategy quickly to seize opportunities or mitigate risks. You are not bound by the constraints of an advisor’s recommendations or a predefined investment plan. This flexibility enables you to be agile in responding to changing market dynamics. And if you’ve been in the stock market for the last few years, you know you need to act FAST when certain signals arise.
The customization and personalization that comes with managing your own finances is truly freeing. You can tailor your portfolio to your specific financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. This individualized approach ensures that your investments align with your unique circumstances and aspirations. You won’t ever feel as if you have an advisor who’s taking a direction you don’t feel comfortable with.
But let’s not kid ourselves, taking charge of your own financial journey requires dedication, discipline, and continuous learning. It may not be suitable for everyone, and some people may still prefer to seek guidance from financial advisors.
Why Angel Investment Research Exists
The rise of the investment newsletter industry has been significant for decades now. By providing individuals with accessible and educational opportunities to enhance their investment knowledge, it’s easy to see why.
There are now thousands of investment newsletters available, covering a wide range of investment topics. So how do you know which one is right for you? Here’s what you need to know.
Investment newsletters serve as valuable sources of information and analysis, offering insights into various investment opportunities, market trends, and economic developments. They often provide in-depth research, expert opinions, and timely recommendations, helping investors stay informed and make well-informed decisions.
They also offer education and guidance. Investment newsletters not only provide investment recommendations but also focus on educating their readers. They aim to empower investors by explaining complex financial concepts in easy-to-understand language, offering educational articles, tutorials, and guides. This educational component helps investors develop their financial literacy and understanding of investment strategies. So not only do they give you fish so you can eat, but they’ll teach you how they did it too!
Most of the time, investment newsletters cover a wide range of topics, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, commodities, real estate, and more. They cater to various investment styles, from long-term value investing to short-term trading strategies. This diversity allows investors to explore different sectors, asset classes, and investment approaches to suit their individual preferences.
So where do the stock picks come from? Newsletters often provide investment ideas and recommendations based on thorough research and analysis. These ideas can help investors discover potential opportunities that they may not have considered otherwise. By following reputable newsletters, investors can gain exposure to well-researched investment opportunities and potentially benefit from the expertise of seasoned professionals. In fact, some argue that the research is worth more than the recommendations.
Another great aspect of investment newsletters that is often overlooked is the networking and community aspect of it all. Many investment newsletters foster a sense of community among their subscribers. They provide platforms such as forums, online communities, or social media groups where investors can connect, share ideas, and engage in discussions. This networking aspect allows individuals to learn from others, exchange insights, and collaborate with like-minded investors.
Here at Angel Publishing, we have a few ways for our community members to interact with each other and our experts. Most recently we launched our Discord server. It’s new but growing every day. If you have any interest in checking it out, I urge you to do it. You can use this invitation to gain access.
So What’s It Going To Be?
The brutal reality is that the financial establishments you’ve been conditioned to trust may very well be robbing you of your retirement savings to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your lifetime.
They will smile. They will be polite. But they will ultimately see you as little more than a financially illiterate mark.
This is exactly why Angel Publishing exists: to charter a different path for investors who are fed up with a broken, corrupt, and dishonest system. We’re here to empower you to protect your savings, grow your portfolio, and secure a healthy retirement without the sharks nipping at your feet.
How exactly do we pull this off?
Since our inception, we have remained true to a particular set of tenets and ideals that have allowed our dedicated readers and viewers to achieve life-altering, market-beating returns.
These are our core principles at Angel Publishing:
#1: No one knows what’s better for you… than you.
At Angel Publishing we have a team of die-hard researchers who scour the market for money-making opportunities each and every day. This inner circle of ours has seen it all; from the trading desks handling Tesla’s IPO to the floor of the world’s largest options exchange.
But despite our wide range and years of experience, we understand that when it comes to your financial decisions and goals; no one knows better than you.
At Angel Publishing, we do not make investment decisions for anyone. Instead, we provide information and insight that empower you to make your own financial decisions with confidence.
Whether you’re a conservative investor in search of reliable and steady income, or a bold speculator looking to triple your money, we exist to uncover the unique and timely opportunities that make these dreams possible.
#2: You cannot beat the market by being the market.
One big reason most financial advisors fail at delivering outperformance is that they’re trained by default to throw your money in a collection of funds that capture broad segments of the stock market.
This strategy, by its very nature, ensures that your portfolio returns will be average. Tack on thousands of dollars in fees every year and it’s easy to see why underperformance is the norm when dealing with so-called professionals.
At Angel Publishing, we take a radically different approach; Instead of spinelessly casting nets and offering no real conviction, we isolate unique and timely investment opportunities wherever and whenever they emerge.
We seek out new and explosive technologies.
We identify niche supply crunches…
And we uncover impending spikes in product demand whenever and wherever they arise.
At Angel Publishing, we cover the entire investing gamut:
From more conservative income-generating assets…
…To private ownership…
…To penny stocks still trading at just a couple of dollars.
In short, we take calculated and targeted decisions in pursuit of enormous rewards.
#3: This pursuit is not for everyone
One of the things we pride ourselves on most at Angel Publishing is being straight shooters. That being the case, we take no shame in admitting that our philosophy and services are not for everyone.
If you’re the type of person who is content “playing it safe” and achieving average benchmark returns, our services are admittedly not for you…
If you’d trust someone you barely know, working for a notoriously shady banking system to manage your life savings, we’re also not for you…
And if you have no interest in acting on bold and profitable investment situations, we’re definitely not for you.
At Angel, we’re here to serve the independent thinker; the fearless speculator, and the anti-establishment outsiders of the world. We’re not here to grease any cogs compliant in the machine.
#4: The Mainstream Cannot Be Trusted
Mainstream news outlets are terrible sources for profitable or reliable investment information. Dishonesty and incompetence are all too pervasive among the MSM, and incentives simply do not align with your best interests as an investor.
Something to always keep in mind about mainstream media outlets is that they generate revenue based on attention, not accuracy or foresight. This reality is particularly troublesome when it comes to investing information because it ensures they are always late to the trend.
At Angel Publishing we do not chase trends: we identify them in their earliest stages, well before the mainstream media catches on…
We told readers to buy Tesla at its IPO in 2010, when EVs were little more than a pipe dream.
We recommended Bitcoin at less than $100, well before cryptocurrency was known to the masses…
And we’ve warned of numerous financial meltdowns, including the 2008 housing crisis and post-covid-lockdown crash…
We have the receipts. We have a track record like no one else in the business. And we will continue to build on this legacy as long as we’re in the game. That’s our mission and our promise to you.
#5: Investing Should be Clear-Cut
At Angel Publishing we keep our analysis simple, easy to understand, and relevant. We don’t try to impress with needlessly complicated jargon or drone on with pages of lifeless data.
Instead, we look for clear-cut investment opportunities that, once you hear them, are impossible to ignore. It’s as simple as that.
Of course, special situations will always require some background and time to explain, but we firmly believe anything that needs to be overcomplicated is not a sound way to make money.
And that’s why we think if you have a money “guy”, financial advisor or “wealth manager”, we think you should fire them immediately!
Ready For the Next Step?
By making it through this report you’ve proven that you’re serious about your financial freedom. You know that there are far more risks from remaining powerless than by taking the wheel yourself. You’ve already taken the first step. So I have a question for you. Are you ready to take the next step?