What Is An ETF?
An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is simply a basket of investments wrapped into one easy purchase.
Instead of buying one company...
Buy one ETF that already contains them all.
Instead of trying to pick one company, an ETF can own hundreds or even thousands of companies for you. Rather than buying each company separately, you buy one ETF that already holds them all.
Think of it like this: if investing in one company is buying one horse in a race, investing in an ETF is backing the whole field. If one company has a bad year, the others can help balance things out.
That's why many people see ETFs as a simpler way to invest over the long term — though all investing carries risk and you can still lose money.
Big Companies In One ETF
Apple
AAPL
Amazon
AMZN
Microsoft
MSFT
GOOGL
Meta
META
One ETF contains them all
Plus hundreds more companies
Why I Like ETFs
Simple, cheap, and built for the long run.
Easy to buy
You can buy an ETF just like a regular share on any trading platform. No complicated paperwork, no minimum investment.
Instant diversification
One purchase spreads your money across hundreds or thousands of companies. You're diversified from day one.
Low cost
Most ETFs charge tiny annual fees — often 0.1% or less. That means more of your money stays invested and compounding.
Great for beginners
You don't need to research individual companies or read balance sheets. Just buy the whole market.
No need to watch the market
Set up a monthly investment, then get on with your life. No staring at tickers all day.
Built for the long term
ETFs are designed for years and decades, not days. Give your investments time — though returns are not guaranteed and values can fall.
"What should I buy?"
When I first started investing, one of the biggest questions was: "What should I buy?"
That's where Trading 212 Pies helped me.
A Pie allows you to group investments together and choose how much of your money goes into each one. Once it's set up, Trading 212 can automatically invest your money according to your chosen percentages.
Think of it as creating your own personalised investment portfolio.
Build Your Own
Some investors enjoy researching funds and shares and creating their own Pie from scratch.
Want a simple portfolio made up entirely of ETFs? No problem. Want a mixture of ETFs, dividend stocks and technology shares? That's possible too.
Copy Existing Pies
Not everyone wants to start with a blank sheet of paper.
Trading 212 also allows you to browse and copy Pies created by other investors.
This can be a useful way to learn how experienced investors structure their portfolios and may provide ideas for your own investments.
You can explore a Pie and adapt its structure to suit your own goals and risk tolerance.
Why I Like Pies
My Personal Approach
I generally prefer ETF-based portfolios because they provide exposure to hundreds or thousands of companies in a single investment.
Rather than trying to pick individual companies, I focus on diversification, consistency and long-term growth.
The aim isn't to build wealth overnight.
The aim is to grow steadily over time.
Start Small
You don't need thousands of pounds to begin.
Many people start with the cost of a few coffees each week.
Small amounts invested regularly can add up surprisingly quickly when given enough time.
That's pretty much my strategy.
Buy Less Crap. Save More, Live Simply.
Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. This website simply shares my personal investing journey and opinions. Investments can fall as well as rise in value, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
My Approach
It really is that simple.
"I'm not an investment guru."
I'm just an ordinary guy trying to make my money work harder than it would sitting in a bank account.
Buy Less Crap. Save More, Live Simply.
Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. Investments can go down as well as up. Always do your own research.