Why you avoid checking your investments (and how to fix it)

Let’s be real—when was the last time you really checked your investments? Not just a quick glance at the balance, but a deep dive into how your money is actually working for you?

If you're like most people, you probably avoid it. But why? What is it about investment monitoring that makes us put it off, even when we know it’s important?

The truth is, it’s not just about being busy. It’s about psychological roadblocks—deep-seated mental habits and emotional biases that make us resist looking too closely at our portfolios.

But here’s the kicker… avoiding it can cost you thousands (if not more).

Let’s break down why people avoid checking their investments—and, more importantly, how to overcome it.

1. You’re afraid of what you’ll see

Let’s start with the big one—fear.

No one likes bad news, and when markets dip, it’s tempting to bury your head in the sand. Seeing losses triggers loss aversion, a psychological phenomenon where losses feel twice as painful as equivalent gains feel good.

What happens next?

• You avoid checking your portfolio when the market is down.

• You delay making necessary changes because you “don’t want to know.”

• You let emotions, not strategy, dictate your investment approach.

🚀 Fix it: Reframe your mindset. Losses aren’t failures; they’re part of investing. Instead of focusing on the numbers day-to-day, set scheduled review times (like quarterly or annually) and stick to them, no matter what.
🛠 How Truthifi helps: Truthifi provides emotion-free, data-driven insights to help you see your investment performance objectively, so you can make smarter decisions without fear holding you back.

2. You assume “everything’s fine”

Ever think, “I made solid choices, so there’s no need to check”? That’s overconfidence bias talking.

While confidence is great, blind confidence is dangerous in investing. Markets change. Sectors shift. Companies rise and fall. If you’re not paying attention, you could be leaving money on the table or exposing yourself to unnecessary risk.

What happens next?

• You hold onto outdated investments without realizing they no longer align with your goals.

• You assume that just because something performed well in the past, it will continue to do so.

• You miss out on opportunities to optimize your portfolio.

🚀 Fix it: Set up automated alerts for major changes in your investments. Even if you don’t want to check every day, getting notified when something significant happens keeps you in the loop.
🛠 How Truthifi helps: Truthifi automatically tracks market changes and provides clear, actionable findings when your investments need attention—so you never miss a beat.

3. The overwhelm is real

Ever open your investment statement and think, “What even is all this?”

Financial reports are full of jargon, percentages, and numbers that seem designed to confuse. If you’re not a finance pro, information overload can make you shut down completely.

What happens next?

• You procrastinate because you feel unqualified to analyze your investments.

• You blindly trust your advisor or robo-advisor without personal oversight.

• You ignore key details that could impact your long-term financial health.

🚀 Fix it: Simplify. You don’t need to analyze every metric—just focus on:
✅ Portfolio performance over time (not just one bad month).
✅ Asset allocation (Are you diversified? Too much in one sector?)
✅ Progress toward your goals (Are you still on track for retirement?)
🛠 How Truthifi helps: Truthifi breaks down your investment data into easy-to-understand insights so you can quickly see what’s working and what’s not—without the confusion.

4. You’d rather do... literally anything else

Ever think, “I’ll get to it later”? And then... you never do?

That’s status quo bias—our tendency to avoid change, even when we know it’s necessary.

What happens next?

• You stick with underperforming investments out of inertia.

• You don’t rebalance your portfolio, even when your risk tolerance changes.

• You keep putting off reviewing your financial plan.

🚀 Fix it: Trick yourself into action. Tie investment check-ins to life events (birthdays, tax season, or New Year’s resolutions). Put them on your calendar like a doctor’s appointment—non-negotiable.
🛠 How Truthifi helps: Truthifi pulls all of your investment data together, calling attention to things like lagging performance or allocations that may not match your risk appetite.

5. You don’t want to face past mistakes

Be honest—have you ever held onto a losing stock just because selling it would mean admitting defeat?

That’s regret aversion at work. People avoid reviewing their portfolio because they don’t want to confront past mistakes. But here’s the truth...

Ignoring a bad investment doesn’t make it better.

What happens next?

• You hold onto losers way too long.

• You hesitate to make future investment decisions.

• You stay stuck in a cycle of avoidance and regret.

🚀 Fix it: Shift your perspective. Every investor—even Warren Buffett—makes mistakes. Instead of dwelling on the past, ask: “What can I learn from this?” Keeping an investment journal can also help you track decisions and improve over time.
🛠 How Truthifi helps: Truthifi gives historical performance analysis to help you learn from past mistakes and make smarter moves going forward.

6. You think less monitoring = less stress

Some people believe that constantly checking their portfolio will only lead to stress and panic selling. And while over-monitoring can be a problem, completely avoiding your investments is worse.

What happens next?

• You miss warning signs of potential losses.

• You stay emotionally detached—but also financially uninformed.

• You let your investments drift instead of actively managing them.

🚀 Fix it: Find the balance. Instead of checking daily (which will drive you crazy), review your portfolio at set intervals—like quarterly. This keeps you engaged without causing anxiety.
🛠 How Truthifi helps: Truthifi provides stress-free portfolio tracking, so you stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.

7. You think it’s “future you’s” problem

Ever think, “I’ll worry about this when I’m older”?

That’s future discounting—the tendency to prioritize immediate comfort over long-term benefits. It’s why so many people put off retirement planning until it’s almost too late.

What happens next?

• You delay checking your portfolio indefinitely.

• You ignore changes in your financial situation that require action.

• You fail to adjust investments as you move through life stages.

🚀 Fix it: Set a “Future Me” reminder. Every year, schedule a check-in where you sit down and ask: “What would future me want me to do today?” Your future self will thank you.
🛠 How Truthifi helps: Truthifi helps you stay ahead of life changes by providing the data you need to adjust your investment strategy based on your goals and risk tolerance.

Final thoughts: take control of your money

Avoiding your investments might feel easier in the moment, but in the long run? It could cost you—big time.

The good news? You don’t have to spend hours buried in financial reports. Just a little awareness and a structured plan can make a huge difference.

So, here’s your challenge: Pick a date this month to review your portfolio. Put it in your calendar. When the time comes, sit down, check your investments, and take action where needed.

Your money is working for you—make sure you’re paying attention. 🚀