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.

From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.

All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal
Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.

Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Separating the Signal From the Noise
A good professional provides important guidance and insight through the years.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
A Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision
Investors who put off important investment decisions may face potential consequence to their future financial security.
Investment Challenges of the Affluent Investor
Affluent investors face unique challenges when putting together an investment strategy. Make sure you keep these in mind.
Getting a Head Start on College Savings
A few strategies that may help you prepare for the cost of higher education.
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
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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.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
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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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Where Is the Market Headed?
We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, “What’s next for the financial markets?”
Bull and Bear Go To Market
Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
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.
The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?