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.
It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
All about how missing the best market days (or the worst!) might affect your portfolio.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
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Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.

Best-Performing Asset Classes
Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.

What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
Four Really Good Reasons to Invest
There are four very good reasons to start investing. Do you know what they are?
Risk Perspective
Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
Earnings for All Seasons
Earnings season can move markets. What is it and why is it important?
A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.
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What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
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.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
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 Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
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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.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.