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.
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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Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
Learn about key investment principles that will help you navigate the unpredictability of the financial markets.
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
Diversification, Patience, and Consistency
Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
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.
Asset Allocation
Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.
The Investment Risk No One’s Ever Heard Of
You face a risk for which the market does not compensate you, that can not be easily reduced through diversification.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
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Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments
See how switching to bi-weekly mortgage payments could reduce interest and shorten your loan.
Comparing Investments
Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.
How Long Will Your Money Last?
See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.
Student Loan Refinance Calculator
Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.
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 Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?
Emerging Market Opportunities
What are your options for investing in emerging markets?
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.