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.

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

5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

Emerging Market Opportunities
What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

Global vs. International: What’s The Difference?
International funds invest in non-U.S. markets, while global funds may invest in U.S. stocks alongside non-U.S. stocks.

Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
Asset Allocation
Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.
The Anatomy of an Index
The S&P 500 represents a large portion of the value of the U.S. equity market, it may be worth understanding.
A Look at Diversification
Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
Earnings for All Seasons
Earnings season can move markets. What is it and why is it important?
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
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Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
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.
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.
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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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The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
Emerging Market Opportunities
What are your options for investing in emerging markets?
Should I Invest in Gold?
Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.