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.

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The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.

The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds

The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds

Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.

Inflation and Your Portfolio

Inflation and Your Portfolio

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

How Financial Professionals Are Compensated

Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

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.

A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.

A Look at Diversification

Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.

How the Federal Reserve Works

Each day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system.

Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.

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Comparing Investments

Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

Calculate the dividend yield of a holding and see what that means for income over time.

Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

See how switching to bi-weekly mortgage payments could reduce interest and shorten your loan.

Student Loan Refinance Calculator

Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.

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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.

What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.

The Cycle of Investing

Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?

Bursting the Bubble

Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

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