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.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
Should I Invest in Gold?
Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.
A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.
The Rule of 72
Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
Understanding Equity Compensation
Net Unrealized Appreciation and how it affects tax responsibilities.
Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?
Even the most seasoned investors have biases affecting their financial choices.
Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions
Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?
The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive
In investments, one great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”
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Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.
How Can I Save a Million Dollars?
See what it takes in monthly contributions and time to reach a million-dollar savings goal.
The Power of Interest - How Long Will it take My Money to Do
Use the Rule of 72 to estimate how long it takes your money to double at a given rate.
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.
How Compound Interest Works
Explore how compound interest can grow your money over time with this interactive tool.
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Bull and Bear Go To Market
Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.