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.

Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.
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A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
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Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.
TIPS for Inflation
If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.
Asset Allocation
Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.
Four Really Good Reasons to Invest
There are four very good reasons to start investing. Do you know what they are?
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal
Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.
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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.
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.
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.
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5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
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?