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 Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.

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

The Sequence of Returns
A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.

Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets
Pullbacks, corrections, and bear markets are all a part of the investing cycle. When the market experiences volatility, it may be a good time to review these common terms.
Asset Allocation
Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.
A Look at Diversification
Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
Inflation & Your Money
It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.
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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.
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.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
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5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Where Is the Market Headed?
We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, “What’s next for the financial markets?”
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.