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.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.
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Should I Invest in Gold?
Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

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

Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
The Business Cycle
Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
Inflation & Your Money
It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.
Getting a Head Start on College Savings
A few strategies that may help you prepare for the cost of higher education.
Types of Stock Market Analysis
Most stock market analysis falls into three broad groups: Fundamental, technical, and sentimental. Here’s a look at each.
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Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
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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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Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds
Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?