If you have read my Beginner’s Investing Checklist, you will know one of the first things I talk about is having a plan.
Not a vague idea. Not a guess. A clear plan.
Because throwing money into random investments is not a strategy. It is just hoping for the best. I was definitely guilty of this when I was younger.
Now, before I invest a single pound, I always step back and ask:
- What money do I actually have available
- What are my monthly outgoings
- What do I need in the short term
- What am I trying to achieve long term
Some people want income. Others want long term growth. Some enjoy higher risk assets like crypto.
There is no right answer investing. Just the right answer for you.
I thought worth breaking down my thought process for 2026 and beyond. This is not for anyone to replicate and it is not my advice to you.. it is what has worked for me.
My Core Approach for 2026
My plan is not about chasing trends or trying to be clever. It is about consistency, structure, and keeping things simple.
Keep building a diversified portfolio
For the last few years, I have focused on building a diversified portfolio using:
- ETFs for broad market exposure
- Investment trusts for more specialist areas
Global ETFs give me exposure across different countries, sectors, and companies. It means I am not relying on one market or one idea to perform.
Alongside that, I use a small number of investment trusts to access areas that are harder to reach through standard index funds. Renewables is a good example for me.
The goal is steady, long term growth without needing to constantly make changes.
Keep costs as low as possible
Fees matter. Over time, they compound just like returns do… but in the wrong direction.
That is why I prioritise:
- Low cost ETFs
- Simple, low fee platforms like Trading 212 and InvestEngine
I am not against active investing. There are some excellent fund managers out there.
But for me, low cost is the default. Active is selective.
Keep learning… but staying in my lane
Investing is not something you “finish” and there is still so much I do not know about.
There is always something new to understand:
- Private markets
- Changes in the macro environment
- New investment products
- Developments in areas like crypto and renewable energy or active ETFs
But here is the reality for me…
I have a day job.
That is my main source of income. That is what I am best at. That is what funds my investing journey.
So while I keep learning, I am not trying to become a full time trader or expert in every asset class.
I focus on:
- Understanding the basics properly
- Avoiding obvious mistakes
- Improving my decision making over time
And then I get on with my day job and let my investments do their thing in the background.
For most people, building wealth is less about finding the perfect investment…
And more about earning well, saving consistently, and investing sensibly.
Maintain global exposure
I have always tried to stay globally diversified.
My portfolio includes:
- US exposure
- UK exposure
- Emerging markets
If anything, I have slightly increased my UK weighting recently. Not because I know where markets are going, but because I want balance.
Too many investors become over reliant on one region without realising it. It is worth checking any investments you have to make sure there is no overlap, I’ll give you an example I checked two ETFs I am invested in and was amazed by how much cross over they had with their top holdings and also how much weighting the US had in each.
So I thought I was diversified and I was actually quite correlated.
Focus on my pension (SIPP)
My pension is becoming a bigger priority.
I am around 13 years away from accessing it, which makes it a true long term investment pot.
Key reasons I focus on it:
- It cannot be touched easily
- It benefits from tax relief
- It is designed for long term compounding
Using a SIPP, I continue to contribute regularly and let time do the work.
Invest for my kids (JISA)
I also invest for my children through Junior ISAs.
This is long term investing in its purest form. They have time on their side, which is incredibly powerful.
Even small, consistent contributions can build into something meaningful over time.
What I Am Not Doing
Just as important as what I am doing.
Not panicking
Markets move. Headlines change daily. It feels noisier than ever out there.
I am not reacting to short term noise and never will.
Not constantly changing strategy
I am not trying to time the market or chase trends.
Consistency is far more important than trying to be clever.
I also try and remember there was a reason I chose a fund / investment before and stick with it. Having too many funds with too many providers is good for no one.
Not focusing on property or crypto
This is a personal choice.
For me:
- I am not a fan of the regulatory environment around property, it seems every change out there does not benefit landlords
- I do not fully understand crypto or have a strong view. For now I am not focused on it. I have very small exposure, but it is not a core part of my plan.
It is important to know where you are not going to focus your time and energy in my view!
Why this approach works for me
This is not about being a great stock picker.
It is about:
- Being organised
- Keeping costs low
- Staying diversified
- Investing consistently
- Focusing on what I can control
And for me, the biggest driver of wealth is still my day job.
That is what allows me to invest in the first place.
Get that right, stay consistent with investing alongside it, and over time the combination is powerful.
Final thoughts
My investing plan for 2026 is not dramatically different from previous years.
That is intentional.
Simple. Repeatable. Long term.
You do not need a complicated strategy to build wealth. You need a consistent one.
Dave