Investments
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.

Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

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

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?”

Getting a Head Start on College Savings
A few strategies that may help you prepare for the cost of higher education.

Finding the Balance
The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
A Look at Diversification
Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.
How the Federal Reserve Works
Each day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system.
TIPS for Inflation
If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
Why Regular Rebalancing Makes Sense
Without your knowing, your investment portfolio could be off-kilter.
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Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
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.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
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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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Are Alternative Investments Right for You?
With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
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.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.