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 Rule of 72

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.

A Primer on Dividends

A Primer on Dividends

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

Behavioral Finance

Behavioral Finance

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

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 Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

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

Investing for Impact

Learn how to build a socially conscious investment portfolio and invest in your beliefs.

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

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

Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline

This helpful infographic will define bull and bear markets, as well as give a historical overview.

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How Compound Interest Works

Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.

What Is My Risk Tolerance?

This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.

Saving for College

This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.

Impact of Taxes and Inflation

Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.

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5 Smart Investing Principles

Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

5 Smart Investing Strategies

There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives

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The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

Finding the Balance

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

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 Cycle of Investing

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

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

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