How Digital Advisors have Transformed the Investment Sector

Published on: 22 January 2019 Last Updated on: 09 August 2019

Technology has undoubtedly made a huge impact on our everyday lives. There are new innovations that are unveiled practically every minute and it can be hard to keep up. The rise of the internet has replaced traditional newspapers and other print media as sources of information. Millions of people now rely on online news sources such as Yahoo and Twitter on getting their news. The transportation sector has also transformed from using the yellow cabs to Uber and Taxify. Purchasing of goods and services is now through electronic payments via credit and debit cards. The financial industry has also been affected by this transformation. The rise of digital advisors has resulted in cheaper and more efficient ways of offering financial advice to investors. These offer automated financial planning with different levels of human engagement. An investor will surely appreciate such engagement.

The Difference Between Robo Advisor and Digital Advisors:

A robo advisor uses algorithms and model portfolios relying on certain information that has been obtained from the client. While others may find robo advisors attractive due to their low cost, there is minimal human interaction. There is more focus on investment allocation but minimal focus on financial planning. Making life’s big decisions such as buying your next house or paying for college requires a lot of careful planning. In this instance, there is no one to hold your hand as you contemplate about making these changes in our life.

A digital advisor is a combination of a traditional financial planner and a robot advisor. This affords an investor the ease and convenience of accessing a personal human advisor. These can be reached via phone or chat. The advice offered by digital advisors goes beyond investment options. Since users have real-time access to an actual financial planner, they can talk to someone about their specific needs and work together to come up with a plan that is based on their current situation.

Which One is Right?

There are Robo advisors who are fully automated and have low fees. These provide investment planning to investors. On the other hand, digital advisors offer a combination of this automation and a touch of the human element. Financial advice is also provided. It is important for you to know how these function so that you know which one to choose if you are considering these options. Here are some options to choose from who are considered the well-known players in this space:

Wealthfront: this automated service has over $1 billion in client assets and thus considered the world’s largest investment service. There is very little human interaction. The first $10,000 in assets management do not attract an advisory fee. Amounts that are higher than this attracts a monthly advisory fee at the rate of 0.25%. The minimum investment amount is $5,000.
Betterment: there is also very little human interaction on this service. Just like the previous platform, the process if Betterment begins by clients being asked a series of questions and then an investment plan is recommended. A monthly portfolio fee of 0.35% and this amount decreases the more the balance grows. There is no minimum investment.
Learnvest: although this platform does not manage investments, clients can contact a Certified Financial planner whom they can contact by phone or email and ask questions. A %19 monthly fee is charged.
Personal capital & Wela: these two digital advisors have very similar offerings. For instance, both offer free financial advice to their users. You can receive advice pertaining to all things finance and be assisted to set up a unique game plan based on your specific situation. Users are also free to use all the financial planning tools available at the site at no extra cost. A management fee of less than 1% is charged to users who are connected to a personalized wealth management advisor. A similar program at Wela ensures that a user is charged only when he decides to become a client.

If you have your doubts about putting your money with a fully automated system, why not go for a digital advisor that provides you with unlimited access to a financial planner while at the same time providing online convenience so that you are assured if a partner to guide you in making big decisions in life.

How They Work:

You do not have to rely on a human to discuss your financial goals and expectations. These interactions go on through a website. You will fill out a questionnaire that helps these sites to assess your current financial situation, risk tolerance and goals. The firms will use this information to develop manage and also suggest an asset allocation.

Other firms will operate by investing your money in mutual funds and exchange funds. These are passively managed funds. Other firms will be willing to invest in individual stocks although this does not happen so often. Once your portfolio has been constructed the digital advisor will rebalance it on different situations so that you can maintain your target asset allocation.

There are some cases where you will not need to fully rely on a digital platform to offer advice. Some elements of the advisor model are mixed with a human advisor. Therefore instead of relying on your response to the given questionnaire, you will be interviewed over the phone or video. You can also access a human advisor via video conferencing.

These websites rely on their own algorithms to determine what would be a good fit for you as asset allocation. Depending on the firm, some will be more or less aggressive in their suggestions. Investors have found these websites to be truly valuable in a fast-paced world where many lack the time or interest to manage their own savings or investments. Advanced technology makes it possible for investors to be comfortable in a web-based relationship which assists them to allocate their asset and online portfolios. It has truly changed the way business is done.

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11 Tips To Save Money For Financial Trouble And Emergencies

A lot of students or newbie job seekers are always stressed about saving up money. They ought to earn their own money and manage all their expenses, including food, groceries, housing, internet and phone bills, and more. Well, there are certain expenditures that go unnecessary and that you might overlook when you are in financial trouble. In this article, you will learn about how to save money when you are in a financial emergency. Here, this article will offer you 11 tips with the help of which you can make your situation a bit better. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article. Top 11 Tips To Save Money For Emergencies The following are the eleven tips to save money that you must follow if you are in financial trouble or are saving for emergencies: 1. Getting Call Tracking Services With our busy lives around us, we usually do not stress much about our phone bills and ignore how much we are paying for them, considering it a necessity. You will see the difference in your spending once you refer to the best call tracking services in Australia. It gives you the opportunity to show how much revenue is being generated during your phone calls and helps you save some money with it. 2. Eating At Home Junk food and fancy restaurants drive most of us crazy. The delicious Chinese and Italian food we crave after each day of work makes us spend a lot on food. To save up, try cutting down on junk food. If you crave some, try making it at home. This way, you will be safe from unhealthy ingredients and will have fun with family or friends while cooking. 3. Cut Off Gym This might sound a bit offensive to some people, but if you are really not that regular with your gym, you better end up with the membership and try walking to your place of work instead of using public transport or your car, which uses a lot of oil. 4. Ignore Car Washes Instead of getting your car washed every weekend and having to pay for it, try giving your car some time and cleaning it on your own at weekends. If you are not really good at it, give it a professional wash once in two months. 5. Shopping Measures This is one small but very helpful tip. When it’s summer, all you wear is a big jacket and cover your inner clothes up, which makes them hidden. So instead of buying new clothes in the winter, wear the old ones as they are hidden anyway and just buy the necessary overcoats. 6. Grocery Make sure the groceries you are buying are of use, and nothing will rot in the back of your refrigerator. A lot of us buy stuff imagining a new recipe and end up forgetting about it. This wastes not only our money but also the fresh food we just brought. Either don’t buy fancy products (if you are not really interested in cooking) or do not keep them hidden. You can have a timetable made if you are pretty organized. 7. Drinks If you buy canned juices or soft drinks because you are a liquid stuff addict, you should know the preservatives and amount of sugar used in them. Usage in huge amounts might end up hurting your stomach and is a waste of money. Try exploring and making your own juices or smoothies and store them in your refrigerators. 8. Record Your Expenses If you do not have a budget for how much you will spend, you will never be able to save for emergencies. Hence, you must keep track of all your expenses. For instance, you have to keep track of every household item, subscription, monthly bill, and many more. To start recording your expenses, you can use a budget notebook or a budget app on your phone. 9. Set Saving Goals It is crucial to have a savings goal for your own case. Here, firstly, you have to think about what you are saving for. Then, you have to divide your saving goals into long-term and short-term goals. Additionally, you must estimate the amount of money you need to save. Then, by comparing it with what you earn, find an estimate of the time you might take to save up to that amount. 10. Focus on Your Financial Priorities How much you allocate to your savings goals depends on your financial priorities. For instance, if you are saving for an emergency situation, you must start putting away money now. Hence, you must keep your long-term goals in mind. Moreover, if you are planning for retirement, you must ensure its importance over short-term needs. Therefore, it is crucial that you prioritize your goals. This will give you an idea of where you must allocate your savings now. 11. Use Automatic Saving Options Choose automated transfer between your savings account and savings account. Here, the bank will give you an option of when and how much to transfer. Also, you have the option to split your deposits. This means a portion of your paycheck directly goes to your savings account. Follow The Above Tips To Save Money If you follow the above tips to save money, you can eventually end up saving a lot for your future. This will help you to cope with financial turmoil and stay prepared for emergencies. Moreover, never forget to review your budget every month and check your progress. Do you have more tips to offer to save money? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below. Read Also: The Importance Of Saving: The Bedrock of a Bright Financial Future Can Families Be Happier and Healthier And Still Saving Money? Don’t Get a Second Job: 10 Unconventional Ways to Make Money

Why You Need Classic Car Insurance?

Do you have an old or classic car you would want to insure? When we mean old, we are not talking about 5 or ten years old cars; we are talking about cars made before 1998. If you have such type of car and plan to ensure them to keep their value, there are certain things you need to know. Find out whether your car qualify for classic car insurance Generally, normal car insurance doesn’t have provisions for insuring a classic car. If you need to insure your classic car, may have to take another car insurance policy. For an insurance company like American Insurance to consider you and your car for classic car insurance, there are certain criteria you need to meet. The car must not be your main vehicle. You must have another car you drive more frequently. You should also have a valid driver’s license and secured structure you store your vehicle. Obviously, the car should not be more than 25 years old. If your car is older than 20 years since it was manufactured, you are no longer dealing with a classic car but an antique one. How is the insurance amount determined? Again, your normal car insurance provides coverage up to the actual value of the car. But for classic car insurance, the insurance amount is determined by you and the company. This determination is based on the valuation of the car by research carried out by an underwriter, a professional appraisal, or a classic car valuation guide. What a typical classic car insurance policy covers As stated earlier, a classic car insurance policy differs from the traditional car insurance policy. Apart from providing cover for damage to the car, there are other benefits you can gain from a classic car insurance policy as outlined below. If your personal items are stolen or vandalized, you will be reimbursed If your car is due for the car show but breaks down, the company can offer to pay for your expenses Emergency travel expenses Lost key return Emergency lockout services Roadside assistance Emergency flatbed towing Some companies like American Insurance can cover all of the items listed above while some other classic car insurance companies may provide cover for some. When selecting the best classic car insurance package, it’s important to consider what their policy covers and what it doesn’t cover. That way, you will be able to determine whether the policy is right for you and your car. Difference between normal car insurance and classic car insurance There is obviously a significant difference between your normal insurance policy and a classic car insurance policy. Let’s find out some of those differences. Depreciation or appreciation Your normal car loses value as it gains mileage. But a classic car may appreciate in value, especially when it has been properly maintained. However, your antique car starts depreciating once it has been insured. Based on this reasoning, you are going to receive a lower amount of indemnity if your antique car is totaled (completely damaged) in an accident. Mileage restrictions In classic car insurance, there are certain restrictions placed on the number of times you drive your classic car. However, a normal car insurance policy doesn’t have any mileage restrictions. Lower premiums Classic car insurance premiums of insurance companies like American Insurance are significantly lower than normal car insurance premiums. Sometimes, they may even be lower by 45%, although this depends on other factors as well. Conclusion Owning a classic or antique car is certainly a great investment of your money and time. However, ensuring such a car shouldn’t be much of a hassle for you. There are policies you can take to effectively give protection to your classic car. The above information will be helpful to you when looking for the most ideal option when taking up a classic car insurance policy. Read Also : 7 Reasons Why Teenagers Pay Extra For Car Insurance Tips For Reducing Car Insurance Costs

How to Start Your Career as a Financial Advisor?

Over the next 30 years, the baby boomers are expected to transfer approximately 30 trillion dollars of wealth to the millennial. Financial advisors are at an all-time advantageous position because they will help manage that money. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 27% job growth for advisors between 2012 and 2022. The average job is suggested to be about $99,920. However, this career is not an easy one. While there are a lot of career openings for finance sector,It is constantly changing. If you are interested in the profession, here are a few tips on the educational requirements, salary packages and the certification that will help you understand what you will need to be a successful financial advisor or start a financial planning career. Who is a financial advisor? Just as the name suggests, financial advisors provide advice to clients on how they can handle their money better. Financial advisors tell their customers where to channel their money, so they get higher returns and grow monetarily. These channels may include insurance options, retirement plans, and other investment strategies. These professionals, therefore, need to have an excellent understanding of how the stock markets, the banking and insurance sectors are performing. There are two options if you’re thinking about how to become a financial advisor. You can either choose to work with a company, or you can go private. Either way, you need a bachelor’s degree and relevant certification. Educational requirements for a financial advisor online The first step to getting into any career is to get an appropriate bachelor’s degree. The financial advisor career requires you to a degree in business administration and other specialized fields like accounting or financial management. The business administration course will cover topics like marketing, accounting, operations management, and finance. The financial management course will focus on financial planning, investments and risk management. While you are studying, make sure that you take advantage of the support resources offered by most universities. Resources such as resume writing guidance for professional CV writing service, job assistance, getting interview leads and writing cover letters will be beneficial when you are building your career. You may also want to develop your marketing skills as you study since you will be tasked with the responsibility to connect with clients through marketing your advisory services in networking avenues, workshops and seminars. It is critical for you to start learning the different marketing strategies early. They will be helpful when you are looking for clients to represent. Depending on the country and the state you reside, you will be needed to get licenses and certifications. The license you get will depend on the types of assets you want to handle. If you're going to sell securities like corporate bonds, you need a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority licensing exam. For the entry levels, the experience is not necessary, however, as you grow in the industry, you will need to get more certifications. The more certificates you have, the more likely you are to succeed in the private sector. You will have to take the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam that will require you to complete 30 units of continuing education and summation of your annual dues. These classes improve your professional conduct. To color your CV even further, take an advanced degree such as a Master’s. It will help you move up in your managerial positions and even land better-paying customers. Time and costs involved in the financial planning career This career requires rigorous studying. To pass most of the industry’s exams, you have to dedicate up to 270- hours of study time including the series seven that gives stockbrokers a license to trade and 66 to qualify you as an investment advisor and security agents. You also have to dedicate your time to training programs which will be invaluable for embarking into the career as a private representative. Being a certified financial planner is not a requirement for financial advisors although the CPF test is done after a person enters the business. Becoming a financial advisor is not cheap. The series 7 exam costs $305, and the 66 costs $155. The training may be offered by the company that you work for after getting your first degree. CFP costs are $594. The materials needed and the classes can be well over $400. The monetary costs are nothing compared to the time you have to dedicate to be a competent professional. The costs of commitment and time will help you build a healthy practice. The rewards of becoming a financial advisor The salary of financial advisors varies depending on their education and experience level. Advisors that do not have more than 10 years experience get a salary of about $25000 per year. The salary increases over time because you get a salary, bonuses, and commissions. After ten years these professionals get about $95000 per year. According to statistics, the highest paid financial advisors in 2013 reached $180000. There is also the personal satisfaction you get when you help change people’s lives. No two days at work are the same. You have endless opportunities to grow and expand. You will meet interesting people who will also change your life. You also get the chance to maintain a great work-life balance since you have the advantage of built-in scheduling flexibility. You will also work well after your retirement years because the career does not require physical strain. Once you figure out what type of investor you want to be, it gets more comfortable for you to meet clients, excel in your education and growth. Read Also: Major Financial Problems That Can Affect A New Business 5 Of The Highest Paid Remote Jobs Small Business Guide To Private Health Insurance Exchanges

How Digital Advisors have Transformed the Investment Sector

The Difference Between Robo Advisor and Digital Advisors:

Which One is Right?

How They Work:

Surviving Loss: What to Do With an Estate After You Lose a Loved One

Tips for Breaking Into Finance and Banking

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Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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11 Tips To Save Money For Financial Trouble And Emergencies

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The Difference Between Robo Advisor and Digital Advisors:

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Surviving Loss: What to Do With an Estate After You Lose a Loved One

Tips for Breaking Into Finance and Banking

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

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