Can You Fit Your Investment Plan on One Page?

A one-page investing plan is a simple written strategy that sets out what your money is for, when you’ll need it, what you’ll own and why, how much you’ll contribute and how often, and when you’ll review it. Keeping it to a single page makes your strategy easier to follow through every market cycle. 

There’s a common misconception that investing needs to be complicated and that a strategy should be lengthy. While this may be true for those who need to separate assets and trusts, or who have business and commercial needs, for most of us it can be a lot simpler. 

According to Scott Phillips, all you need is one page. Phillips is Chief Investment Officer at The Motley Fool Australia and the author of The One-Page Investing Plan: Start Simple, Stay Patient, Build Serious Wealth.

‘Every Australian should be able to put their strategy onto a page and follow it for the rest of their life.’ — Scott Phillips, Equity Mates Finfest, October 2026 

Key takeaways 

• A simple strategy that you can outline on one page can help you stick to your plan, keep visibility over your assets and stay consistent in your approach. 
  
  
• Your one page should cover what the money is for, when you’ll need it, your investments and allocations, the regular contributions you’ll make and when you’ll review the portfolio. 
  
  
• When selecting investments, consider quality, the role each one plays in the portfolio, any overlap with other assets and how well it fits your goals and life.
  
   

Which successful investors use a simple portfolio? 

Phillips is not the only investor who believes in this approach. Frank Mihail, who manages the $9bn North Dakota Board of University and School Lands portfolio, uses a one-page portfolio approach. The late Charlie Munger of Berkshire Hathaway held just three primary assets for his personal wealth, while Jack Bogle, the father of index investing, was known for the ‘Three-Fund Portfolio‘, which used three index funds for the entire portfolio. 

Three investors who show that a portfolio doesn’t need to be complex to be effective. 

The thinking behind this simplicity is that it helps investors stick to their strategy and maintain clear visibility over what they own. 

Why should you know your ‘why’ before setting a strategy? 

Bullish investors may be tempted to rush in and pick assets, but the key to building a strategy you can stick to is the pre-planning. This means working through a series of questions you ask yourself to understand your reasons for investing and what you need to account for, so that your portfolio genuinely reflects you. 

Phillips suggested starting with the following four questions: 

1. What is the money for? 
2. How much money is enough to meet that purpose? 
3. How long do you need to invest for? 
4. What are your target returns to reach your goal? 

‘You can plan and strive when you know what ‘enough’ is.’ — Scott Phillips 

From there, you can begin to map out your assets and how often you’ll invest. Phillips also recommended that investors always hold an emergency fund to avoid having to sell investments at crisis points. 

Consistency is important, and Phillips advocated making regular investing a routine, regardless of market conditions. 

How do you choose investments for a one-page plan? 

Phillips reminded investors that the fundamentals don’t change, whether you are just starting out or are already retired. You want to choose assets that will grow over time – otherwise, investing doesn’t work. Depending on your strategy, you can use direct shares, ETFs, managed funds or a combination of these. 

If you are investing for the long term, look for quality investments and be wary of hot tips. 

Phillips compared investing to gardening: you need to plant your seeds and tend them patiently, then know the right time to harvest. 

While selecting your investments, ask yourself: 

• What job does this holding do in my portfolio? 
• Do any of my holdings overlap? 
• How does the portfolio fit with my life and goals? 

What should a one-page investing plan include? 

Once you’ve worked through these steps, you should be able to map out your strategy on one page using the following five elements: 

Your one-page investing plan template, based on Scott Phillips’ framework. 

If you can summarise your strategy in just these five points, you are more likely to stick to it and stay invested through tough times. 

How do you stick to your plan through market cycles? 

Phillips also cautioned that setting your strategy should include planning for what might happen in different market cycles. 

‘Decide now what you are going to do before the next market crash.’ — Scott Phillips 

Ideally, he noted, you want to avoid selling during a downturn, and an emergency fund can be useful for this. He also reminded investors of the need to stay the course, rather than jumping between investments. 

‘Resist the urge for action; let time do the work.’ — Scott Phillips 

Phillips pointed to the added benefits of compound growth and interest within a portfolio – benefits that reward patience far more than activity. 

Why does keeping it simple help you invest for life? 

The more complicated we make a concept, the harder it can be to stick to – and investing is proof of that. Keeping your approach simple and consistent makes it more likely you’ll stay with it for the long term and steadily build your wealth. 

Some of the world’s best investors have demonstrated the value of a simple approach, and Phillips offers a template that investors can follow and adjust to their own needs, circumstances and goals. 

Investing is not static, however. As Phillips noted, making time for regular reviews and measured adjustments is also important. A one-page plan can be valuable when working with a financial adviser, too: it helps you make the most of your discussions about your goals and ensures you understand the plan proposed for you. It can also be an excellent starting point for adjustments or further questions. 

Frequently asked questions 

What is a one-page investing plan? 

A one-page investing plan is a concise, written investment strategy that fits on a single page. Popularised by Scott Phillips of The Motley Fool Australia, it helps investors stay consistent, keep visibility over what they own and avoid reacting emotionally to market swings. 

What information should you include in a one-page portfolio? 

A one-page portfolio should include what the money is for, when you need to access it, the investments you’ll hold and their allocations, the amount and frequency of your contributions, and how often you’ll review it. You should also keep an emergency fund so you don’t need to sell investments during market downturns. 

What investments can you use in a one-page portfolio? 

Investors can use any assets they choose. Phillips suggested that ETFs, direct shares, managed funds or a combination of these can be simple options for investors to use. Where you hold them matters too, whether that’s through a platform or broker. 

Does a one-page portfolio still work if you use a financial adviser? 

Yes. A one-page portfolio can help you summarise and understand the strategy your financial adviser proposes for you. It can also support further discussion and questions to ensure your strategy fits your needs. 

Disclaimer: This article is prepared by Sara Allan. It is for educational purposes only. While all reasonable care has been taken by the author in the preparation of this information, the author and InvestmentMarkets (Aust) Pty. Ltd. as publisher take no responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein or for any errors or omissions within it. Interested parties should seek independent professional advice prior to acting on any information presented. Please note past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.