Want to See Your Money Grow? It′s Time to Take Control!

Back in 2012, we embarked on what felt like an exciting journey into the world of private banking with a prestigious Swiss bank. Being accepted as a client was an exhilarating experience—it came with an air of exclusivity and a sense of belonging to a group that had access to opportunities and insights beyond the reach of the average investor. We were promised personalized advice, bespoke investment strategies, and a partnership that would secure our financial future. It felt like stepping into a world where our money would be carefully nurtured and strategically grown by the experts.

However, the reality quickly fell short of the promise. Each year brought a routine that felt more like a chore than a privilege—reading through confusing reports filled with jargon, discussing underwhelming results with a personal advisor, and hearing familiar explanations of why the markets hadn’t performed as expected. We paid fees diligently and even out-of-pocket taxes for realized gains, yet the portfolio showed little to no growth.

By 2018, disillusioned and frustrated, we decided to take back our money. The feeling wasn’t one of triumph but of relief—relief that after six years, we were getting back exactly what we had invested. And yet, those years weren’t a reflection of poor market conditions; they were marked by double-digit growth in many indices. The disappointment was stark:

We hadn’t just missed the opportunity for wealth creation—we had entrusted it to a system that failed to deliver.

My experience is not unique. Since founding the Women Investors Club in 2019, I’ve reviewed countless underperforming investment portfolios and listened to numerous stories of frustration from investors who feel let down by the financial industry. These issues aren’t anecdotal; they’re systemic. If you need further proof, I encourage you to follow the work of Robin Powell, a renowned advocate for transparency and fairness in investing.

One reason for these disappointments is that it’s hard to know what a reasonable investment return looks like. Without clear benchmarks or realistic expectations, many investors feel unsure about how their portfolios should be performing.

Another issue is the lack of transparency in reporting—actual returns are often hidden behind complicated language, confusing numbers, and lengthy explanations. This leaves investors struggling to understand how well their money is really working for them, creating a cycle of confusion and frustration.

This common disappointment underscores the need to critically evaluate your own investment portfolio. Here’s how to start.

Three simple steps to critically evaluate your investment portfolio:

1. Review Annual Returns: Examine your annual return on investment for at least the past three years, and preferably five. Focus on year-by-year performance and avoid confusing it with your overall return since you started investing.
2. Understand Management Fees: Take a close look at the fees you’re paying annually for portfolio management. These costs can significantly impact your overall returns, so it’s crucial to know exactly what you’re being charged. Compare these fees to your actual returns—in real terms, you could be giving away half of what you’re earning.
3. Compare to Real Market Returns: Evaluate your portfolio’s performance against major indices. This will help you understand if your investments are truly delivering value.

Too busy to research the major indices?

Start by checking these images of the 10-year returns of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100. If your returns are below 10% it′s time to take control.

Take control of your money—you worked hard to save it, now make sure it’s working hard for you.

Taking control of your finances can feel overwhelming at first—it requires not only knowledge but also a significant amount of financial confidence. This is where many people hesitate, unsure if they’re capable of navigating the complexities of investing on their own. In a previous article, I wrote about the self-confidence paradox in investing, where I give practical tips on how to overcome the fear of making mistakes.

The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. Through personalized financial coaching, I can guide you step by step, helping you build the confidence and skills you need to take control and make informed financial decisions. Send me a personal message today, and let’s work together to turn uncertainty into empowerment. Your financial goals are within reach—you just need the right support to get started.

Not investing tops the list of financial regrets for 41% of women. My newsletter is a way to make a change to this statistic.

I am Lena, the founder of “Women Investors Club”.