Have an Investment Philosophy and Stick to It

The important thing about an investment philosophy is that you have one you can stick with.

— David Booth, Founder of Dimensional Fund Advisors

You decide to go on a long cross country hike to a beautiful mountain lake. It will take you a couple of days, and the path will be steep and wind through forests and fields. Before setting off, most of us would get the right gear together, make sure we have enough food and the proper shelter, and carefully map out our route. We wouldn’t put a bunch of random things in our backpacks and just head off in the general direction of the lake.

Unfortunately, too many investors invest precisely this way, gathering investments together without plan or purpose beyond hoping for good returns. Generally, they are sadly disappointed.

With an investment philosophy, you always know how you will invest and why. You’ve factored in good markets and bad, and aren’t swayed by hype or panic. Hope, gut instincts, and tips from your neighbor or CNBC are not an investment philosophy. Instead, your investment philosophy should always do what it is supposed to, and it should be rational, defensible, and repeatable. No investment philosophy will work 100% of the time, but if your philosophy is prudent and evidence-based, chances are it will get you where you want to go over the long-term.