When most people hear “investment,” they think of charts, complex jargon and some overconfident guy on TikTok shouting about the latest coin “going to the moon”.
But here’s the part we do not hear enough: investing is not just about choosing an asset, it is about choosing one that fits you.
Someone once said, “Personal finance should be more personal than finance”. It’s like buying a suit. You do not grab the flashiest one just because everyone else is wearing it. You get one that fits your size, taste and budget.
Same thing with investing. Your age, income, goals and even personality (yes, your tendency to panic when the market dips) should guide your decisions. But too often, we follow trends or peer pressure instead of asking: “Is this aligned with where I’m trying to go?”
Because the goal is not to follow the herd, it’s to build a strategy that fits you and your journey.
Not every investment is your friend
Would you wear a wool suit in Diani in December? Or Crocs to a boardroom? (My boy Anto might. But do not ask him, he’s…unique.) Same goes for investments.
What works for your cousin in Toronto earning in CAD under Canadian tax rules might be a disaster for you in sunny, tax-free Dubai. It’s not about copying what’s hot. It’s about what fits you, your income, location, goals and risk tolerance.
That’s why we in compliance insist on two things: One is suitability: Is this investment right for your goals and timeframe? Planning to buy a home in two years? Do not lock your cash in a 10-year bond.
Two is appropriateness: Do you actually understand what you are buying? What are the risks? What happens if things go wrong? A 25-year-old might be fine with high-growth equities. But a retiree? Probably not. That’s like wearing flip-flops to a snowstorm.
Too often, people get sold flashy products based on hype or commissions, 15-year offshore insurance plans that barely pay, or structured products that reset just when they were about to deliver returns. And who gets burned? The investor who did not ask the right questions.
But this is where a proper compliance framework comes in, to protect investors from being mismatched to products that do not serve them.
The fact sheet: Your investment label
Every regulated product (mutual funds, sukuks, REITs) comes with a fact sheet. No, it does not come with flashing lights or trending audio. But it’s the most important document between you and a bad decision.
Think of it like a nutrition label. You would not (or should not) buy a snack without checking the sugar content. Same goes here. A fact sheet tells you the risk level (mild, medium, ghost pepper), historical returns (not gospel, but useful), fees (the sneaky ones that nibble at your profits) and liquidity (how fast you can get your cash if things go sideways).
If you are risk-averse, the fact sheet will show if the fund bounces around too much. If you need liquidity, it will tell you how long your money is locked in. But here’s the key: you have to read it. And if you do not get it, ask. Because the market does not refund ignorance. A few minutes of reading now could save you years of regret.
Hard lessons and honest questions
I have seen retirees lose their life savings because a smooth-talking advisor sold them a high-risk note disguised as “secure”. I have watched fresh grads get locked into long-term investments with 30 per cent exit penalties, before they have even paid off Helb. That is not investing. That is gambling in a tuxedo and calling it strategy.
Here’s the truth: your risk appetite is personal. You cannot borrow it from your cousin’s WhatsApp group or that guy on YouTube with a ring light. Before you invest, ask: Can I afford to lose this money? Do I need it back within one to two years? Will I sleep if the market drops 10 per cent? Am I investing for growth, income or just to outpace inflation?
Answer honestly (not aspirationally) and you will start to see what works for you. Because a good investment, like a good suit, should not pinch when things get uncomfortable.
The final word: Suit up
Each investment has its time, place and type of investor. The goal is not to do everything, it is to do what works for you, consistently. You would not wear Maasai sandals in a snowstorm. So why invest like your friend in London when you live in Dubai, earn in AED and plan to retire in Nairobi?
Investment is personal. Suit up accordingly.
