Investment
Investing should be easy – just buy low and sell high – but most of us have trouble following that simple advice. There are principles and strategies that may enable you to put together an investment portfolio that reflects your risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals. Understanding these principles and strategies can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that snare some investors.
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.
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Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive
In investments, one great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”
It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
All about how missing the best market days (or the worst!) might affect your portfolio.
Alternative Investments - Going Mainstream
Alternative investments are going mainstream for accredited investors. It’s critical to sort through the complexity.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
You Would Rather Be...
Are you a thrill seeker, or content to relax in the backyard? Use this flowchart to find out more about your risk tolerance.
How Financial Advisors Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
Inflation & Your Money
It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.
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What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
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5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
Jane Bond: Decoding Diversification
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, discovering how bonds diversify a portfolio.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Emerging Market Opportunities
What are your options for investing in emerging markets?
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?