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.

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Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.

The Sequence of Returns

The Sequence of Returns

A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

Your Shifting Risk Tolerance

Time and market performance may subtly and slowly imbalance your portfolio.

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

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

Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.

The Business Cycle

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

Inflation and the Real Rate of Return

Learn about the role of inflation when considering your portfolio’s rate of return with this helpful article.

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

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

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Student Loan Refinance Calculator

Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

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

College Savings

See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.

Wedding Budget Calculator

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

How Long Will Your Money Last?

See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.

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Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

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

Inflation and Your Portfolio

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

Bridging the Confidence Gap

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

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?

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