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.
Finding the Balance
The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
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The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
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.
Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions
Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?
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.
How to Conquer the World - 5 Financial Strategies for Savvy
Learn more about women taking control of their finances with this infographic.
How Stocks Work
Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.
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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.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
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.
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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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Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds
Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.