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.
The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
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The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?

Earnings for All Seasons
Earnings season can move markets. What is it and why is it important?

Finding the Balance
The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.
Your Shifting Risk Tolerance
Time and market performance may subtly and slowly imbalance your portfolio.
Separating the Signal From the Noise
A good professional provides important guidance and insight through the years.
Asset Allocation
Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
Diversification, Patience, and Consistency
Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.
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What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
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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Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
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?