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 Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Have A Question About This Topic?

The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

The Business Cycle
Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.

Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
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.
Diversification, Patience, and Consistency
Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.
Alternative Investments - Going Mainstream
Alternative investments are going mainstream for accredited investors. It’s critical to sort through the complexity.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy
Emotional biases can adversely impact financial decision making. Here’s a few to be mindful of.
View all articles
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
View all calculators
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.
View all presentations
The Rule of 72
Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
All about how missing the best market days (or the worst!) might affect your portfolio.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.