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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Bull and Bear Go To Market

Bull and Bear Go To Market

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

A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

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

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.

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.

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.

Estimating the Cost of College

This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President

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

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?

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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What Is My Net Worth?

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

Comparing Investments

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

Debt vs. Investment

Weigh the potential outcomes of paying off debt versus directing those dollars elsewhere.

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.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

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

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Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.

Bridging the Confidence Gap

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

Finding the Balance

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

The Fed and How It Got That Way

Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

Behavioral Finance

An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.

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