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

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

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

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

Separating the Signal From the Noise

A good professional provides important guidance and insight through the years.

Bursting the Bubble

Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

• Articles

  Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

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

  The Threat of Identity Theft

  An article informing readers about the threats of Identity Theft.

  How Stocks Work

  Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.

  Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

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

  TIPS for Inflation

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

  It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

  Learn about key investment principles that will help you navigate the unpredictability of the financial markets.

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• Calculators

  Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

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

  Debt vs. Investment

  Weigh the potential outcomes of paying off debt versus directing those dollars elsewhere.

  Wedding Budget Calculator

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

  Monthly Budget

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

  What Is the Dividend Yield?

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

  Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

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

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• Videos

  The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

  Where Is the Market Headed?

  We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, "What's next for the financial markets?"

  The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

  From Boats to Brokers

  From the Dutch East India Company to Wall St., the stock market has a long and storied history.

  Bull and Bear Go To Market

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

  When Markets React

  When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.

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