So, you’ve decided to take control of your investments in retirement. As we’ve discussed, you can do that through an industry super fund or a big retail super fund, using their platforms to time the market and even buy individual stocks. Or, you may have a financial planner handling things for you. But if you’ve chosen to take control yourself and become a self-directed investor, what’s next?

1. Setting Up a Trading Account

The first step is getting a trading account—a platform where you can buy and sell investments.

• Most people start with a trading account linked to their bank.
• Every major bank offers an online trading platform, and signing up with your existing bank makes it easier to manage accounts in one place.
• Some trading platforms are independent, but they may not offer Holder Identification Numbers (HINs)—meaning you don’t directly own your shares.

Be wary of platforms that pool funds together—you want to ensure your money is held in your name.

To trade effectively, you’ll also need a cash account linked to your trading platform. Many investors use a Macquarie Cash Management Account (CMA), which integrates with trading accounts and makes transferring funds easy.

2. Choosing What to Invest In

Now that you have a trading account, the next challenge is deciding what to buy.

• The ASX has over 2,000 stocks and more than 300 exchange-traded funds (ETFs)—where do you even start?
• The sheer number of choices can be overwhelming, and this is where guidance is crucial.

Many investors rely on financial news and research to help them navigate the market.

3. Finding Reliable Market Information

If you’re managing your own investments, you need quality sources of information.

Some of the best options include:

• The Australian Financial Review (AFR) – Expensive but one of the most respected sources for financial news.
• Free finance websites – Many exist, but reliability varies.
• TradingView – A powerful platform that combines market data, news, and charting tools.

TradingView has become the go-to choice for many investors because:

• It integrates across devices—your watchlists sync between your desktop and mobile app.
• It includes a news feed with content from sources like Reuters.
• It provides exceptional charting tools for tracking stock trends.

Beyond these, many investors also turn to investment newsletters like Marcus Today for stock ideas, strategy insights, and daily market commentary.

4. How Marcus Today Helps Self-Directed Investors

At Marcus Today, our goal is to help you navigate the market.

We don’t just tell you what to buy and sell—we provide the context, strategy, and education to help you become a better investor.

Our newsletter is structured to suit different investment styles:

• Income Portfolio – Focused on dividend-paying stocks for retirees.
• Growth Portfolio – Aimed at long-term investors looking for capital appreciation.
• Trading Ideas – For those who like to take occasional short-term positions.
• Strategy Portfolio – Uses ETFs to time the market and capitalise on major trends.

5. Why Market Timing Matters

Many in the financial industry will tell you “you can’t time the market”—but that’s because it’s in their interest for you to believe that.

• Fund managers and advisors prefer buy-and-hold strategies because it reduces client churn.
• The reality is, market timing can help investors avoid major downturns and take advantage of buying opportunities.

For example:

• During the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the ASX fell 54%, and the banks dropped 56%.
• Investors who stayed in cash during the downturn had incredible buying opportunities at the bottom.

At Marcus Today, we use our Strategy Portfolio to time markets, particularly with ETFs:

• We track global trends and allocate capital where the best opportunities are.
• We’ve invested heavily in Big Tech and the US market, where returns have been stronger than in Australia.
• We focus on sector rotation—moving between banks, resources, tech, and defensive stocks depending on market conditions.

6. Building a Daily Investing Routine

If you’re a self-directed investor, investing becomes part of your daily routine.

• Many investors start their day by checking what happened overnight in global markets.
• The Marcus Today newsletter provides a morning summary—highlighting what’s changed, what’s important, and what actions you might need to take.
• Instead of endlessly searching for news, you get a condensed, actionable overview every morning.

Beyond staying informed, investing should also be enjoyable.

Our approach is to:

• Inform – Give you the facts that matter.
• Explain – Break down complex ideas into simple, practical insights.
• Educate – Help you build investing knowledge over time.
• Entertain – Keep investing engaging and enjoyable.

7. Getting Started Without Risking Too Much

If you’re new to investing, don’t rush in.

• Start by reading and learning before making major investment decisions.
• You can even paper trade—track stocks as if you were investing, without committing real money.
• Consider starting with a small amount of capital before scaling up.

A good goal for your first year of investing is simple:

• Avoid major losses while building confidence.
• Stay engaged and continue learning.
• Develop a clear investment approach—whether that’s income investing, growth stocks, ETFs, or a mix.

Many of our members say that reading Marcus Today feels like “education by osmosis”—absorbing investment knowledge naturally over time.

8. Finding Your Investment Style

Before you start investing seriously, take time to understand what kind of investor you are.

• Are you looking for income? You may want to focus on dividend stocks and franking credits.
• Do you want to build wealth? Growth stocks and ETFs could be your best option.
• Do you prefer lower volatility? A strategy focused on ETFs and market timing might suit you better.

You don’t have to decide everything upfront, but knowing your priorities will help you avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “right way” to invest, but setting yourself up correctly can make a huge difference.

• Open a trading account—preferably with a major bank for simplicity and security.
• Find good sources of information—like TradingView, AFR, and investment newsletters.
• Develop a daily investing routine—start your day with a clear picture of the market.
• Don’t rush in—spend time learning before committing serious capital.

If you’re looking for guidance, education, and investment ideas, Marcus Today can help.

• Sign up for a free trial and see if it suits you.
• Use the newsletter to build your knowledge and refine your strategy.
• Most importantly, enjoy the process—investing is one of the most engaging and rewarding pursuits in retirement.

Hope to see you on our member list soon.