Budgeting, Saving and Investing
Explore practical ways to budget, save, invest and organize debt.
Side by side / 4 guides
Investing services
How much control do you want over investment decisions?
| What matters | Self-directed brokerage | Automated portfolio service | Financial planning engagement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pros | Choose and manage holdings yourself | Delegate routine allocation tasks | Discuss multiple goals and constraints |
| Cons and trade-offs | More decisions rest with you | Portfolios and options may be limited | Fees and services depend on the engagement |
| Best fit | If your goal is to choose and manage holdings yourself. | If your goal is to delegate routine allocation tasks. | If your goal is to discuss multiple goals and constraints. |
| Effort involved | Research investments and maintain allocations | Complete onboarding and monitor the mandate | Prepare records and attend meetings |
| What to check first | Compare fees, account types and protections | Compare advisory fees and underlying fund costs | Check credentials, conflicts and scope in writing |
General financial education. Check terms, fees, eligibility and protections in your jurisdiction.