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 Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?

5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.

From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
Your Shifting Risk Tolerance
Time and market performance may subtly and slowly imbalance your portfolio.
Earnings for All Seasons
Earnings season can move markets. What is it and why is it important?
Risk Perspective
Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.
A Look at Diversification
Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
Inflation and the Real Rate of Return
Learn about the role of inflation when considering your portfolio’s rate of return with this helpful article.
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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.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
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5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
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Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Bull and Bear Go To Market
Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!