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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Behavioral Finance

Behavioral Finance

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

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

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

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.

Buying a Home

A look at what you need to think about when buying a home.

TIPS for Inflation

If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.

A Look at Diversification

Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.

All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal

Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.

Asset Allocation

Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.

How Financial Professionals Are Compensated

Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

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Monthly Budget

Track your monthly income and expenses to get a clearer view of your cash flow.

How Compound Interest Works

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

What Is the Dividend Yield?

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

Impact of Taxes and Inflation

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

Contributing to an IRA?

Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.

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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?

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

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

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.

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