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.

Featured Video

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?

The Business Cycle

How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?

Inflation & Your Money

It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.

Bull and Bear Go To Market

Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!

• Articles

  The Business Cycle

  Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.

  Buying a Home

  A look at what you need to think about when buying a home.

  Types of Stock Market Analysis

  Most stock market analysis falls into three broad groups: Fundamental, technical, and sentimental. Here’s a look at each.

  Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

  Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.

  Value vs. Growth Investing

  Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.

  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.

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• Calculators

  How Compound Interest Works

  Explore how compound interest can grow your money over time with this interactive tool.

  Comparing Investments

  Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.

  What Is My Net Worth?

  Get a snapshot of your overall financial picture by calculating your total net worth.

  College Savings

  See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.

  How Long Will Your Money Last?

  See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.

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• Videos

  Inflation and Your Portfolio

  Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

  Finding the Balance

  The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.

  Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

  Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.

  What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

  $1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.

  Bursting the Bubble

  Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

  The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

  It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.

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