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My three children received a generous gift from a family member, with the intention it be used for future tertiary study or travel. I investigated a range of investment options, seeking something with strong returns, a solid reputation, an investment that I didn't have to manage on a day-to-day basis, yet a simple investment process. My research led me to InvestSMART.

I knew the funds would be invested for around 10 years for each of the children, so with discussion with the kids about "risk appetite" they came to understand that some investments will see fluctuations in return, but over the length of the investment would help their investment grow. The information provided by InvestSmart was easy for them to understand, and they were comfortable interpreting the graphics for each type of portfolio. I really valued the kids having input and awareness of where their funds were going to be invested, so they could use this understanding to start dreaming of the opportunities this generous gift would provide them.

Occasionally they will each check in to see if the value of what they have has grown. Two of them now have casual jobs and can easily add funds to their portfolio, knowing that their savings are growing towards a big goal for their future.

In terms of set up, the account opening process was very straightforward. I was well supported throughout, and was able to speak to a real person to answer any of my questions. Monitoring the investments under one umbrella login has also made the management much easier for me.

Whilst the last year or two of investing has been a rollercoaster, we have received ample, easy to understand information explaining market volatility, the security of longer term investing which helped us all feel safer in staying the course.

The investment portfolios we have setup for my 3 children was funded by their uncle. He has recently retired and really wanted to do something that would benefit them when they are much older. My kids are aged 10,8,6.

With my help we both decided that an aggressive growth orientated portfolio over a 10-20 time horizon would bring the most benefit.

The online process with InvestSMART was incredibly easy, definitely not what I was expecting.

I wanted to help secure my grandchildren’s future. I chose investments for the longer term and I don’t have to worry about the state of the markets. Volatility isn’t a major concern because I know what goes down will more than likely come up. By having individual share and trying to watch the market has become too hard for me now.

Happy for someone else to do it.

I’ve always managed my own investments and the investments of my aging mother. However, while I enjoy keeping a sharp eye on share market investments (mostly via Intelligent Investor) I honestly find analysing the less sexy investments of property, fixed interest, bonds and cash a chore.

Investsmart’s ready made portfolios provided via the PMA has allowed me to ‘outsource’ the dull bits of investing to experts, who charge a very reasonable fee for this service.

Using portfolio manager and the InvestSMART’s PMA I have over time been rebalancing my portfolio so it is not one hundred percent in ASX listed stocks but is a portfolio that will help me achieve a financially secure retirement with lower risk and more consistent returns.

I started buying and selling shares based on my research with some success. But in reality, it was more luck than anything.

I had always watched Alan Kohler on the ABC and decided that any company he is associated with must be good.

In about 2012. I subscribed to Eureka Report and InvestSMART. I read their recommendations, and also did a lot more research into the Australian system of super and investment.

I managed to keep our funds growing whilst withdrawing some living expenses and after consolidation paid off any housing loans we had.

The GFC set us back a bit, but my wife decided to go back to work full time as a teacher. So her salary helped regain some of the losses.

As time went on I decided that it was a good idea to get InvestSMART to do the research and instead of me just following their recommendations, to buy into their funds that follow their own advice.

It saves me time and it's good to know that InvestSMART watches the markets and adjusts accordingly.

It works for me!

It gives me a measure of reassurance, because I trust InvestSMART’s decisions. I believe in their integrity and expertise. Especially in bad market downturns, which I try to see as opportunities.

I believe that between InvestSMART and I our funds are in reasonably safe hands. This strategy saves money and time.

I/we can enjoy our retirement with sufficient funds to travel overseas and tour our wonderful country in a caravan. We have done about 150k km around Australia and are still finding new and wonderful things to see and do. And our funds are still growing quite well.

Thanks to InvestSMART and Alan Kohler, Mitchell Sneddon, and every person in the organisation.

I have nothing but praise for the service, the information and quick responses to stupid questions and requests I make from time to time.

Eureka Report is compulsory reading every Saturday morning!

Great job guys.