Lesson Accounts 101
Have you considered investing using a robo advisor? This article addresses some common questions about the managed investment portfolio.
Not too long ago, if you wanted to jump into the stock market, your main options were either going through a bank's financial advisor (hello, high fees) or just biding your time on the sidelines. Either that or you needed to learn how to trade stocks yourself. But with robo advisors, like Questwealth Portfolios on the scene now there is a perfect balance for you.
What exactly is a robo advisor and how does it work?
Robo advisors are a hybrid tech-enabled investment service where you get a portfolio managed by experts.
The benefits of a robo advisor
The main benefit of a robo advisor is the lower fees typically compared to traditional financial advisors or actively managed mutual funds.
These savings are then passed on directly to you, affording the opportunity to access a professionally managed investment portfolio at a significantly lower cost compared to alternative options.
Another robo-advisor perk is that it rebalances your portfolio with little hands-on interaction, which is especially handy if you're pressed for time or in the process of building confidence to independently manage your own portfolio.
The lower fees(and lower minimum account size) associated with robo advisors also make investing more accessible to a wider range of people.
What types of accounts can I open with a robo advisor?
Any investment account can be opened with a robo advisor. This includes First Home Savings Accounts (FHSAs), Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), and more.
You might want a RESP for your children, an RRSP to save for your retirement, and an FHSA to save for a home purchase, all at the same time. It’s easy to open up managed portfolios for each of your individual needs, whichever account type works best for you.
Can I actually retire up to 30% wealthier with Questwealth Portfolios?
The simple answer is yes. You can check the math for yourself with this calculator. What makes it possible is the lower fees.
While you can’t predict how the stock market will perform year over year, you can control the fees you pay. Mutual funds can charge fees upwards of 2% while Questwealth fees total will be under 0.4%. A small difference of 1-2% in fees each year might not seem like much, but the impact is bigger than you think. Higher fees don’t just cost you the money you pay— you lose the income that money would have earned over time as well. If you’re 10, 20, or 30 years from retirement, that 1% per year can definitely add up to over $100,000.
Choosing a lower-fee managed investment solution could potentially lead to a significantly higher amount of money in your investment or retirement accounts.
Is it hard to transfer my account to Questwealth from another financial institution?
We make it as easy as possible to transfer your account. There’s no need for any awkward conversations with your former financial institution - we handle that all for you. You just need to fill out a single form to get your transfer started.
How do I open a Questwealth Portfolios account?
With Questwealth you start by answering a few questions about your financial circ*mstances, investment objectives, and time horizon. With this information in hand, you get a pre-built managed diversified portfolio based on your wants and needs. These portfolios are made of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), which would be like investing in the market with mutual funds but have a fraction of the fees.
Getting started with your first Questwealth Portfolio through the QuestMobile app is a hassle-free process that can be completed in under 20 minutes.
And just because Questwealth is a robo advisor doesn't mean we skimp on human customer service. If you ever want to chat with a real person, we're just a phone call away at 1.888.783.7866.
Should I use a robo-advisor for my investments?
Ultimately, the decision to use a robo-advisor depends on your individual financial situation and preferences. You may not want a robo-advisor if you prefer to pick your own stocks, or have more direct control over your portfolio. You also have the optionto take a blended approach which involves assigning a portion of your total assets to a robo-advisor investment and allocating the remaining to exploring individual stock picks in a separate self-directed account.
But if you’re lookingfor an effective passive approach, Questwealth is an accessible tool that allows more people access to investing and competitive rates that allows people from all financial backgrounds to start investing.
Note:The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be used or construed as financial or investment advice by any individual. Information obtained from third parties is believed to be reliable, but no representations or warranty, expressed or implied, is made by Questrade, Inc., its affiliates or any other person to its accuracy.
