DIY investors 'regret their decisions' The figure rises to just over a third for wealthier people who invest more than £10,000 a year, according to Prudential, the insurer. While losing money was the most common reason for regretting an investment, affecting more than half of those surveyed, one in five said they were unhappy with the riskiness of the investments they had chosen. Another 20pc didn't get the returns they expected, while 5pc failed to appreciate the tax implications of cashing in their investments. The Pru said the research showed that DIY investing could be a "flawed and costly strategy" if people invested without the necessary level of expertise. Andrew Barker, the head of advice at Prudential Financial Planning, said the findings should serve as a "wake-up" call for DIY investors. He said: "All investing carries some level of risk, which means that decisions on where to put your money won't always give the return expected. But investment regrets can often be avoided if people make sure they fully understand all the vital considerations before making their decision. DIY investing is really only appropriate for people who have very good knowledge of financial products and markets. Our advice to those considering making their own investment decisions is to think carefully about the potential long-term cost implications. He added: "DIY investing may seem cheaper initially than paying for professional financial advice, but without the necessary expertise it could turn out to be a flawed and costly strategy."