MarketRiders - A Resource

As most of you know, I believe that most investors are best served by investing in low-cost, low-turnover, highly diversified, index mutual funds or exchange traded funds.  Many market stalwarts support this approach including Warren Buffett, John Bogle, William Bernstein, Charles Ellis, and Burton Malkiel.  This indexing approach rests on considerable evidence showing that active managers, after fees, fail to outperform the market.  This is because their fees and hidden costs are significant; and markets are basically efficient, meaning that prices rapidly incorporate publicly available information.

My service is unique in that I offer to teach investors how to manage their assets with this approach.  I either give them direction or initially manage their assets and then, when they are comfortable, turn over management to them.

MarketRiders is an online site that follows the indexed approach and offers software (approximately $100/year subscription services) or low-cost management services (flat fee of $495/year/account).  Some DIY investors will find this to be exactly what they are looking for.

Their website is extremely well done, and they lead the investor  through the process and underlying philosophy quite well.  I recommend that all investors considering this approach to the market at least spend some time on their site.  Again, it could be the exact fit you are seeking.  Please note that I am not affiliated with them and, if anything, could lose potential clients to them.

From my perspective, I have the question of whether this process can be commoditized to the extent implied by the MarketRiders approach.  They do have counseling available, and maybe this overcomes my objection; but in many cases, the key in the overall investment approach is fitting in goals and extraneous items that are client specific. For example, some clients own real estate or have the likelihood of receiving a sizeable inheritance in the next few years.  Some want to leave an inheritance, and others are fearful of running out of money.  Some need considerable guidance on simplifying by combining accounts and locating investments appropriately.  All of these figure prominently in the overall investment program.

In summary, check out this resource.  If interested, try the free trial.  It very well could fit your needs.