Začínáme s investováním
How to Set Up Regular Investing on Autopilot
Key takeaways
- Regular investing removes the stress of decision-making — every month you buy automatically, without thinking about the price.
- Combining a standing order from your bank and an automatic purchase at your broker is the most robust autopilot.
- The sooner you switch on autopilot, the longer compound interest works for you.
- You can change the amount of your regular investment at any time — you're not locked in to anything.
The best investor isn't the one who watches the markets every day — it's the one who buys regularly and without emotion.
Why autopilot works
Regular investing is called DCA (Dollar Cost Averaging) in English. You buy at different prices: sometimes expensive, sometimes cheap. Your average purchase price therefore tends to be more favorable than if you invested all at once. For more on DCA see the article DCA — dollar cost averaging.
How to set up autopilot in practice
- Step 1: Set up a standing order with your bank. On the same day every month (say the 5th) an amount is automatically transferred from your bank account to your broker account. More detail in what is a standing order.
- Step 2: Set up an automatic purchase with your broker. Many brokers offer a "recurring investment" or "savings plan" feature — choose the ETF, the amount and the day. The broker buys automatically.
- Step 3: Check once a quarter. Make sure the money arrived and the purchase went through. Nothing more is needed.
What if your broker doesn't offer automatic purchases
No problem. The standing order from your bank ensures the money is at your broker. Once a month you log in, add a few clicks and buy manually. Even that is a sufficient autopilot — the whole process takes less than five minutes.
How much to invest every month
The amount is not important — regularity is. Even 500 CZK per month is better than waiting until you "save enough." Start with what doesn't strain you financially and gradually increase the amount.
FAQ
Can I stop the autopilot at any time?
Yes, you can cancel or pause a standing order in your bank at any time through mobile banking. You can turn off the automatic purchase with your broker in the platform settings. No penalties or cancellation fees.
What amount should I set for my first one?
Set only what won't strain you. The basic principle is to keep 3–6 months of expenses as an emergency reserve in the bank and invest only the surplus. Starting with 500 or 1,000 CZK per month is perfectly fine.
Are there fees for every automatic purchase?
It depends on the broker. Some offer savings plans without a purchase fee; others charge a fixed fee per transaction. Check your broker's current fee schedule and include fees in your calculations.