22/07/2026
Giving someone 30 investment options is not necessarily good financial advice.
Sometimes, it is simply giving them 30 decisions to make.
There is a behavioural principle called Hick’s Law.
It tells us that as the number and complexity of choices increase, the time it takes us to make a decision generally increases too.
I see this in financial planning all the time.
Should I choose an RA, TFSA, endowment or flexible investment?
Local or offshore?
Active or passive?
Shares, bonds, property, cash, ETFs, hedge funds or private markets?
What about THAT fund my mate shared at the braai or that social media influencer mentioned on Insta?
Suddenly, someone who simply wanted to invest for their future is faced with dozens of decisions.
So what happens?
They delay.
They overthink.
They wait for more information.
Or (worse) they do nothing.
The financial services industry often responds to complexity by providing even more information and even more choice.
I think great financial planning should do the opposite. KISS!
My job is not to show you everything you could do. My job is to consider it all, and based on your needs, goals, biases and other factors, only present a short list of what is ideal for you.
What is the goal?
When do you need the money?
How much access do you need?
What risks can you afford?
What are the tax implications?
Then we simplify.
Because the best financial plan is rarely the one with the most products, funds or moving parts.
It is the one you understand, believe in and can stick to.
More choice often creates more confusion.
Clarity creates action.
And action, repeated consistently over time, is what ultimately builds wealth.
