At the Academy of Life Planning, our investment guidance is refreshingly simple — because simple works. For empowered clients, we recommend low-cost, globally diversified, auto-rebalancing multi-asset funds, accessed directly by retail investors and from platforms independently vetted via Which? Money best buy surveys.
We don’t chase alpha.
We chase a better life.
The Alpha Illusion
In the City, “alpha” is seen as the badge of honour — the pursuit of market-beating returns. But for most, it’s a mirage.
The reality? Over 85% of professional fund managers underperform their benchmarks over 15 years (S&P Indices Versus Active (SPIVA) report). If the most well-resourced minds in finance can’t consistently beat the market, why should retail investors waste time trying?
Alpha demands constant vigilance: watching markets, dissecting earnings, reacting to headlines. It increases trading frequency, costs, and stress. The result? Lower returns and a diminished quality of life.
In contrast, beta isn’t glamorous — it’s grounded.
What is Beta?
Beta measures how an investment moves relative to the broader market. A beta of 1 means the investment typically moves in line with the market. More than 1? It’s more volatile. Less than 1? More stable.
But here’s the key: beta doesn’t aim to beat the market — it aims to capture it.
When you harness beta through low-cost index funds and allow time, compounding, and global diversification to work for you, you eliminate the noise — and elevate your life.
Why Beta Works for You
Beta strategies allow you to:
- Stay invested without second-guessing the market
- Minimise costs and avoid churn
- Align your investments with your goals, not speculation
- Access powerful diversification without needing to pick winners
- Sleep at night, knowing your plan is on track
These are not minor advantages — they are transformational. They free you from the grind and give you back your time, energy, and emotional wellbeing.
Don’t Chase Alpha — Design a Better Life
The City wants you to chase performance. We want you to chase purpose.
By focusing on beta — with straightforward, reliable funds that auto-rebalance and align to your goals — you shift the conversation from “How do I beat the market?” to “How do I live well?”
Investing becomes not a game of chance, but a pillar of financial life planning — a way to fund your Kokoro: a life rich in meaning, balance, and security.
Our Practical Guidance
We recommend:
- Multi-asset funds that are:
- Low cost (look for TERs under 0.5%)
- Globally diversified
- Auto-rebalancing
- Available directly via low-fee platforms
- Platforms endorsed by independent surveys such as Which? Money
These funds take the emotion out of investing and put your life goals at the centre.
Conclusion: Simple. Ethical. Empowering.
Chasing alpha is like trying to out-swim a whale in the open sea.
Choosing beta is like sailing with the current — steady, peaceful, and on course.
You don’t need to be the smartest person in the market.
You need a strategy that works for you — consistently, ethically, and without stress.
At the Academy of Life Planning, our investment philosophy is as much about freedom and integrity as it is about returns. When you invest this way, you’re not just growing wealth — you’re reclaiming your life.
Next Steps:
- Review the Which? Money best buy list for multi-asset funds
- Align your choices with your GAME Plan goals
- Choose simplicity, transparency, and life-first investing
Let alpha go.
Let your life lead.
Academy of Life Planning 