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.

Featured Video

Bridging the Confidence Gap

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

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

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

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

• Articles

  Alternative Investments - Going Mainstream

  Alternative investments are going mainstream for accredited investors. It’s critical to sort through the complexity.

  Key Money Moments: 4 Times You Should Talk to a Pro

  Life happens fast, and your finances can take a backseat if you’re not careful. Is it time to check in with a financial professional? This infographic will help you examine your own financial situation and decide if it’s time to step up your financial game.

  Risk Perspective

  Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.

  What It Takes to Become an Accredited Investor

  What does it take to be an accredited investor? Explore the details, & the types of investments offered to those who qualify.

  Investing with Your Heart

  For some, the social impact of investing is just as important as the return, perhaps more important.

  Value vs. Growth Investing

  Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.

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• Calculators

  Comparing Investments

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

  College Savings

  See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.

  Wedding Budget Calculator

  Estimate total wedding costs and see how different choices affect your overall budget.

  Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

  Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.

  Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

  See how switching to bi-weekly mortgage payments could reduce interest and shorten your loan.

  How Can I Save a Million Dollars?

  See what it takes in monthly contributions and time to reach a million-dollar savings goal.

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• Videos

  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.

  Behavioral Finance

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

  Bull and Bear Go To Market

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

  The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

  It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.

  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.

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