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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Finding the Balance

Finding the Balance

The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.

The Anatomy of an Index

The Anatomy of an Index

The S&P 500 represents a large portion of the value of the U.S. equity market, it may be worth understanding.

Bursting the Bubble

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 Business Cycle

Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.

A Primer on Dividends

A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."

A Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision

Investors who put off important investment decisions may face potential consequences to their future financial security.

Global vs. International: What’s the Difference?

International funds invest in non-U.S. markets, while global funds may invest in U.S. stocks alongside non-U.S. stocks.

The Sequence of Returns

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

Best-Performing Asset Classes

Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.

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Comparing Investments

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

What Is My Net Worth?

Get a snapshot of your overall financial picture by calculating your total net worth.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

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

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

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

Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

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

Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

See how extra payments toward your student loans could shorten your payoff timeline.

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The Cycle of Investing

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

Bull and Bear Go To Market

Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

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

Bridging the Confidence Gap

In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.

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