LIVE Cohort starts 15th January 2026.
The Systematic Way To Master Investing and Build Long-Term Wealth
It’s 2017 and I was sitting watching thousands of pounds drain out of my account every single day.
Market sentiment had fallen off a cliff after the General Election was announced.
And to add to that I was leveraged - so I was losing money I didn’t even have.
I felt sick. I struggled to sleep. I’d snap at my wife.
My whole chest felt heavy. The only relief was the market close where I knew the losses would stop… until the next morning.
I was the rabbit in the headlights. I did nothing.
I kept telling myself the market would bounce back, and if I didn’t sell then I hadn’t lost anything.
But it kept getting worse.
All the money I’d worked hard for was fast disappearing.
And on top of that a £20,000 loan from Deutsche Bank that I put straight into my trading account.
All circling the toilet bowl because I had no clue what I was doing.
Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore and liquidated everything at stomach-churning losses.
Final tally: Over £40,000 gone in less than a month.
The Decision That Changed My Financial Future
Naturally, I wanted to blame somebody..
The politicians. The press. The market for reacting the way it did.
But deep down I knew it was entirely my fault.
I’d entered an arena that I didn’t understand, and shouldn’t have been surprised when I got eaten up and spat out.
The reality was that this naivety and lack of knowledge had cost me over £40,000 and I had nobody to blame but myself.
But I also knew that I was still up from when I started, and if I could figure out how to stem the losses I wouldn’t need to go back to work just yet.
That day I made a decision.
I stopped following random accounts on Twitter and getting ideas from tipsters and bulletin boards.
I went down the rabbit hole of learning. Books. Podcasts. Courses.
How to navigate the market methodically and systematically.
Ruthless execution and risk management, so I’d never be in that position again.
I wasn’t interested in any “get rich quick schemes”.
I was building a repeatable, rules-based approach to the markets that could survive market crashes, emotional panic, and my own stupidity.
Nearly a decade later and I’m still using that system, and adapting it with everything I learn.
I deal in the markets most days, and it was my family’s sole source of income until 2020, when I was invited to join Investor’s Chronicle as their trading columnist.
Who Am I?
I’m Michael Taylor and I’ve been a full-time UK trader since 2016.
I’ve written opinion pieces for the Financial Times and The Telegraph, contributed to Investors’ Chronicle and MoneyWeek, and been featured in The Sunday Times, The Daily Mail, and more...
I’ve given a TEDx talk on investing, was nominated for Financial Journalist of the Year, and won Trading Finfluencer of the Year in 2024.
In 2020, I released my first book on investing and have worked with over 500 students in my UK Stock Trading Course.
But here’s what I’ve realised over that time…
AS FEATURED IN
How Most People Invest (And Why It's A Trap)
The finance industry has spent decades convincing you that investing is too complicated for ordinary people.
This is because they rely on you being too scared to do it yourself so you pay their high fees instead.
Here's an example from St. James's Place - one of the UK's largest wealth managers...
£100,000 invested in their most expensive fund charging 2.29% will return you £385,848 at 7% annual returns (typical for a diversified portfolio) over 30 years.
Sounds good, except that investing the same £100,000 in a DIY index fund charging 0.13% would return you £733,963.
Meaning the fund manager's fees effectively eat £348,115, or 47.4% of your possible returns, over 30 years.
But this isn’t an isolated example.
Research from Morningstar shows that only 5.8% of professional fund managers beat passive index funds over the last decades.
Which means that you are very often paying them a high fee to fail to beat the very index they’re trying to outperform.
Take Nick Train. His fund is down 50% over the last four years - see the chart below.
This year though he paid himself £11 million. Last year it was over £14 million.
The reality is Nick Train is doing fine.
But his investors are paying 0.6% a year, which is 300% more expensive than the FTSE All-World which is up 21% in the same period.
The sad truth is that due to the huge sums of capital involved, the incentives and rewards are always geared towards those working in the financial industry, not you as an individual investor.
In essence, the financial industry is really like a casino. You might win occasionally, but over time, the house always takes its cut.
But The Government Will Save Me?
If you can't trust the finance professionals, then surely the Government will look after you... Right?
The current U.K. state pension is £230.25 a week.
You can live off it, but it’s probably not the lifestyle you imagined.
And the reality is, this will only get worse.
Birth rates are falling, and old people are living longer, which means a bigger drain on pensions and less people working to pay for the retired.
In fact, it’s been reported that the pension system could be insolvent by as early as 2036.
Not to mention the $30bn 'black hole' that the Chancellor recently raised taxes again to try and fill.
But that's not all...
The Silent Destroyer Of Wealth Nobody Ever Mentions
Einstein is reported to have said, "Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it... he who doesn't... pays it."
In simple terms, money is either working for you or against you.
For example, if you’ve got £100,000 in savings earning 4% interest a year...
But inflation for that year is 5%...
You’ve lost money in real terms, because your money now has less value than it did at the start of the year.
Inflation has historically outperformed interest rates over the long term, which means holding lots of cash can be dangerous for your wealth, as the purchasing power of that money erodes every year in real terms.
Meanwhile, someone who invested that same £100,000 at 7% annual returns (typical for a diversified portfolio) has a stronger chance of beating inflation and growing their wealth in real terms.
The numbers don’t lie. Keeping money only in cash and not investing is likely to leave you worse off over time.
The biggest risk you face is NOT doing anything with your hard-earned savings and letting inflation simply erode your wealth while you sit on the sidelines.
So What's The Solution?
So if you can't rely on fund managers, can't rely on the government, and can't sit on cash... what's the solution?
For most, the answer is to invest in index funds and ETFs.
ETFs are Exchange-Traded Funds that own a basket of securities and trade on the stock market like an individual stock.
They’re great for beginners, cheap, and diversified.
But they are also average - by definition and design.
When you buy an index or even a global ETF, you’re buying everything.
The winners and the losers. Companies with huge growth potential but also the ones that are stagnant or in decline.
Now, don’t get me wrong... An ETF returning 7-9% annually should compound over 30 years (and beat the majority of fund managers).
But the returns will only ever be average.
What if you could do better?
Not by gambling. Not by day trading. Not by picking meme stocks or chasing crypto...
Here's What Most People Don't Realise
You don't actually have to choose between paying fund managers extortionate fees to underperform and settling for average ETF returns.
You can make your own investment decisions through ISAs and SIPPs.
However, the sad fact is that most amateur investors end up losing money.
Not just because they pick the wrong stocks but also because they make predictable behavioural mistakes...
That £40,000 I lost? Classic anchoring bias and loss aversion. I knew I should sell. But I couldn't bring myself to do it because that would make the losses "real".
But here's what I learned: These mistakes are avoidable when you have a proper system.
A system that removes emotion from decision-making. That protects you from catastrophic losses. That works whether you're up or down.
That why I made the decision to build such a system, and this has has enabled me to now making a living as a full-time trader in the UK stock market since 2016.
Every single day I risk my own capital in the markets.
That experience has taught me what separates successful investors from those who lose money: discipline, risk management, position sizing, and a systemic approach that removes emotion from decision-making.
I've taken those professional trading principles and adapted them into a practical investing program for people who want to build long-term wealth without needing to trade full-time like I do.
How Much Is Not Having A System Costing You?
Every day you don't have a proper framework is another day of lost opportunity you'll never get back...
If you've not started investing yet and are sitting in cash, your purchasing power is evaporating due to inflation
If you've entrusted your hard-earned savings to an investment advisor or fund manager, their fees are probably consuming a large chunk of your future wealth
If you've only invested in ETFs so far, then you can expect to earn average returns which may or may not help you achieve your future financial goals
If you're already making your own stock selections and are not following a system, you will at some point suffer a major drawdown by falling prey to one of the classic behavioural mistakes.
But maybe you're still unsure.
Maybe you're thinking:
"What if I lose money?"
The reality is investing carries risk like everything else.
Losing money sometimes is inevitable.
But the trick is to minimise the downside and cap your losses, and keep your risk to the upside using professional level portfolio controls which we'll cover in the cohort.
"I have no idea when to buy or sell"
You will never buy at the bottom and you'll never sell at the top.
The good thing is you don't need to.
When you have a simple and repeatable decision-making framework then you don't need to rely on bulletin boards or tips from your mate who has heard something from "someone in the know".
"I don't have enough knowledge"
The key here is to build a portfolio that suits your goals, your time frame, and your risk tolerance.
That starts by understanding the pros and cons of the options available to you so you can make your own decisions towards your goals and priorities.
Most of the questions I get on social media and from newsletter readers are about their investing challenges.
That's why I've decided to create a practical investing program, The Private Investor, for people who want to build long-term wealth without trading full-time like I do.
It's the system I wish someone had given me 10 years ago when I was getting started.
It would've saved me years of mistakes, as well as hundreds of hours wasting my time with the wrong information, and not to mention the tens of thousands of pounds in losses.
Does this sound like you?
You know you should be investing but you don't know how to trust
You're worried about losing money by making the wrong decisions
You want to retire comfortably but don't have a clear plan to get there
Your uncertainty means you're just putting money in the bank because it's 'safer'
You've started investing but worry your returns won't match your goals
What if instead you could...
Have someone with experience and a genuine desire to see you succeed guide you
Build a personalised portfolio that matches your goals and risk tolerance
Make investment decisions based on knowledge, not emotion
Avoid the behavioural mistakes that cost investors hundreds of thousands
Follow a proven, systematic approach and take control of your destination
What fellow professionals say about Michael
"Michael’s trading course is a great guide to trading UK stocks for anyone who is serious about learning to trade. By focusing on risk management, trading execution as well as specific trading patterns, Michael provides a solid base for traders to develop their own trading strategy."
Martin Stamp
CEO Ionic Information, ShareScope & SharePad
"Michael is one of the clearest writers and thinkers on the topic that I’ve encountered. He’s not a get-rich-quick merchant – he genuinely cares about his subject and his readers."
John Stepek
Executive Editor of MoneyWeek & Author of The Sceptical Investor
INTRODUCING
The Private Investor
A Systematic, Customised Approach To Building Long-Term Wealth
The Private Investor is a 6-week live cohort program where I personally walk you through everything you need to know with weekly classes and Q&A, so you can invest with confidence and make logical decisions with no guesswork required.
My aim to is to help you build a personalised investment portfolio that matches your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Here's how we're going to do it:
Step 1: Build Your Foundation With ETFs
We'll start with low-cost, globally diversified ETFs. This gives you broad market exposure with minimal fees. It's your safety net and should earn you a steady return over the long-term.
Step 2: Enhance Returns With Quality Stock Selection
Once your foundation is in place, I'll help you to identify high-quality individual companies using a proven, systematic framework.
Step 3: Manage Risk Like A Professional
I'll show you how to use position sizing, stop losses, and proper portfolio construction in order to protect your capital. Professionals focus on the downside first, not the upside.
Step 4: Master Your Psychology
The biggest threat to your portfolio isn't market crashes. It's you. I will guide you on how to build a disciplined system that strips out the emotion from your investing.
How The Private Investor Works
A 6-week live cohort program where I personally walk you through everything you need to know with weekly classes and Q&A, so you can invest with confidence and make logical decisions with no guesswork required.
ETF Foundation
There are thousands of low-cost ETFs. We’ll look at how to decide which ones are worth your time and money and which ones aren’t. These can make up the bulk of a portfolio to ensure proper diversification.
Quality Stock Selection
We’ll learn how to systematically identify high-quality companies with strong fundamentals, competitive advantages, and genuine growth potential.
Risk Management
Using position sizing, stop losses, and proper portfolio construction, you’ll learn how to protect your capital. Focus on downside first, upside second. This is the professional way and how I’ve managed my own money for nearly a decade.
Master Your Psychology
Peter Lynch had one of the best-performing funds of all-time yet most of his investors lost money. Why? We’ll deep dive on the behavioural traps (FOMO, loss aversion, anchoring, recency bias etc) that destroy portfolios. You’ll learn how to build a disciplined system that strips out emotion from investing.
Here's What You're Going To Learn During Our 6 Weeks Together
Six weeks. Six transformational modules. Six live sessions with direct access to me.
WEEK 1 - The Language of Money
Stop feeling like an outsider and finally understand how investing actually works
How to see through marketing jargon and empty promises
How to separate real news from noise so you don't panic at every headline
The 3 tax-wrapper accounts the wealthy use to shelter gains from HMRC (and why most people use the wrong ones)
WEEK 2 - Build Your Personal Wealth Strategy
Create a customised plan that actually fits your life and goals
How to reverse-engineer your retirement to calculate exactly how much you need to invest
How to structure your contributions to maximise compound growth
How to build a diversified portfolio that balances growth and protection
WEEK 3 - Spot The Winners, Avoid The Losers
Learn to evaluate companies like a professional investor
The 3 financial ratios that separate quality companies from ticking time bombs (most investors ignore #2)
How to identify "moats" that protect companies from competition and keep profits growing for decades
Key financial ratios and valuation metrics (and when they actually matter)
WEEK 4 - Read Financial Statements Like A Pro
Extract truth from balance sheets even if you've never read one before
Why the most important number on a balance sheet isn't revenue or profit (and what to look for instead)
How to spot creative accounting and companies hiding problems
How to use AI tools to speed up your analysis
WEEK 5 - Master The Psychology That Separates Winners From Losers
Master the emotional game so you don't sabotage yourself
The "anchoring trap" that causes investors to hold losing positions until they've lost everything (and how to avoid it)
How to stay calm during market chaos (when everyone else is panicking) and profit from buying opportunities
Why the most dangerous time to invest is when you feel most confident (and what to do about it)
WEEK 6 - Execute With Confidence and Control
Put everything together into your complete portfolio strategy
The position sizing formula that lets you survive 4 losses in a row without blowing up your account
The 3 signals that tell you it's time to exit (most investors get this catastrophically wrong)
How to track your performance so you know exactly what's working and what's costing you money
What Students Are Saying
In Addition To The Weekly Classes You Are Also Going To Get The Following Fantastic Bonuses
Portfolio Tracker Spreadsheet
Track your portfolio’s performance in real-time, stay informed, and make data-driven decisions
Stop Loss & Exit Strategy Planner
Protect your investments with predefined stop-loss points and profit-taking strategies
Tax-Efficiency Investment Planner
Reduce your tax burden and boost long-term growth using ISAs and SIPPs
Personal Investment Guide
That aligns with your goals, risk tolerance, and financial future
Company Valuation Scoring System
Learn to assess a company’s financial health with key metrics from its financial statements
Red Flag Checklist for Companies
Identify potential risks and red flags in companies to avoid poor investment decisions
The Capital Efficiency Screener
Finds high capital efficiency, steady revenue growth stocks trading at reasonable valuation
Technical & Fundamental Filters
Identify businesses with strong earnings, solid balance sheets, and sustainable growth
Private Community Support
Ask questions and get feedback and support throughout the program
Lifetime Program Updates
Every refinement and enhancement to the program is yours at no additional cost
Who This Is For
This is for you if:
You're UK-based and want to invest systematically
You're willing to learn a proper process
You understand investing is long-term
You're sick of conflicting advice
You have capital to invest (even £100-£200/month)
You're ready to take responsibility for your future
This is NOT for you if:
You want get-rich-quick or guaranteed returns
You can't afford to risk investment capital
You expect to be told exactly what to buy
You want someone to blame for losses
You think investing is easy
You won't track decisions or learn from mistakes
Your Investment To Join The Private Investor
The Private Investor takes everything I've learned from teaching hundreds of students and distills it into a complete system for long-term investors.
A live cohort program where I personally walk you through everything you need to create the financial future that you and your family can look forward to.
Live. With direct access. For 6 weeks.
Regular investing programs charge £1,000+ for theory-based, one size fits all content.
The Private Investor is taught by someone who is working in the UK markets every day.
Regular Price: £497
First Cohort 'Early Bird' Price - 50% Off
Now Only: £247
>> STARTING: Thursday 15th January 2026 <<
TRY IT OUT RISK FREE TODAY
🛡️ Your 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Join the first few live sessions. Start building your investment strategy.
Ask questions. See the value for yourself.
If after 30 days you don't feel more confident and better equipped to manage your investments, email me and I'll refund every penny.
No questions asked. No hoops to jump through.
I can offer this guarantee because I know the material works. It's based on nearly 10 years of real market experience.
The only way this doesn't work is if you don't use it.
You wouldn't buy a house without looking inside. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive.
Join The Private Investor, see the value on the inside, and if it's not for you, I'll happily refund you.
This is a risk-free 'trade' as you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
TESTIMONIALS
What students are saying
Get Started Today
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the live sessions and how long do they last?
We meet once a week for six weeks starting January 15th. Each session is approximately 90 minutes. All sessions are recorded if you can't attend live.
How much capital do I need to start?
You can start with as little as £100-£200 per month. The principles work at any investment level. What matters is that you're building the right habits and system early.
Do I need everything set up from Day 1?
No. We'll walk through account setup (ISAs, SIPPs) in Week 1. You'll have plenty of time to get everything in place before we start investing.
How much time do I need to commit each week?
Plan for 90 minutes for the live session, plus 1-2 hours to review materials and implement what you've learned. This isn't a full-time commitment—it's designed for people with jobs and families.
What if I have questions from a prior week?
You can ask any question during the live sessions, even if it's about previous material. You'll also be able to post questions in advance for me in our private community.
If you're such a good trader, why are you selling a course?
Fair question. Three reasons: (1) I enjoy teaching and seeing students succeed. (2) As a full time trader I also need to withdraw capital to pay for all my family’s bills. The less capital I have to withdraw, the more I can grow my account. (3) My wife and I have a young son and so I’m the sole earner in the family. Full time trading is time consuming and requires effort so the more I can diversify, the less stress it places on me and the better I can focus on my trading.
The course sounds good but it's a lot of money
If £247 would strain your finances, please don't join. Save up first. But consider this: if the program helps you avoid one significant loss (like my £30,000), or helps you spot one good investment per year for the rest of your life, or saves you years of the "time tax of ignorance" - is it worth it?
I'd love to join but work is too busy right now
There will always be something. That's called the "When/Then" fallacy: "When work calms down, then I'll invest in my future." But work never really calms down. And every year you wait is another year of missed compound growth.
If you are genuinely too busy and can't make the sessions then maybe it's best not to join. But every year you wait is another year of missed compound growth.
Disclaimer
The Private Investor is an educational program designed to provide tools, frameworks, and guidance for improving personal financial habits, decision-making, and investing.
While many participants report positive financial outcomes, individual results will vary and cannot be guaranteed.
I make no claims or assurances regarding earnings, savings, debt reduction, or investment success. Any financial improvements are the result of individual effort, discipline, and application of the material provided.
By purchasing this program, you acknowledge that the information provided does not constitute financial advice, and is offered for educational purposes only.
You must be 18 years of age or older to join. If you are unsure about your ability to commit or take responsibility for your own learning, please do not proceed with your purchase.
The Private Investor includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with the program for any reason within 30 days of the start of the training, you may request a full refund with no questions asked.
Michael Taylor is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and this product does not provide regulated financial advice. All content is educational in nature.
Copyright 2025 Michael Taylor, all rights reserved
This site is not a part of the Facebook website or Facebook Inc. Additionally, This site is NOT endorsed by Facebook in any way. FACEBOOK is a trademark of FACEBOOK, Inc.
