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

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

The Business Cycle

How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

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

Bull and Bear Go To Market

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

• Articles

  Types of Stock Market Analysis

  Most stock market analysis falls into three broad groups: Fundamental, technical, and sentimental. Here’s a look at each.

  A Quick Guide to Socially Responsible Investing

  Want to contribute to a better world and grow your wealth? Learn how in this quick guide to socially responsible investing.

  A Look at Diversification

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

  Risk Perspective

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

  Estimating the Cost of College

  This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.

  Investing for Impact

  Learn how to build a socially conscious investment portfolio and invest in your beliefs.

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• Calculators

  Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

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

  Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

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

  Monthly Budget

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

  What Is My Net Worth?

  Get a snapshot of your overall financial picture by calculating your total net worth.

  Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

  See how extra payments toward your student loans could shorten your payoff timeline.

  How Compound Interest Works

  Explore how compound interest can grow your money over time with this interactive tool.

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• Videos

  Behavioral Finance

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

  From Boats to Brokers

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

  Finding the Balance

  The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.

  Bursting the Bubble

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

  Bridging the Confidence Gap

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

  The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

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