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

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

• Articles

  Investing with Your Heart

  For some, the social impact of investing is just as important as the return, perhaps more important.

  Estimating the Cost of College

  This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.

  The Investment Risk No One’s Ever Heard Of

  You face a risk for which the market does not compensate you, that can not be easily reduced through diversification.

  Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline

  This helpful infographic will define bull and bear markets, as well as give a historical overview.

  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.

  The Pros and Cons of an NUA Strategy

  Learn the advantages of a Net Unrealized Appreciation strategy with this helpful article.

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• Calculators

  The Power of Interest - How Long Will it take My Money to Do

  Use the Rule of 72 to estimate how long it takes your money to double at a given rate.

  How Compound Interest Works

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

  Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

  Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.

  How Can I Save a Million Dollars?

  See what it takes in monthly contributions and time to reach a million-dollar savings goal.

  Comparing Investments

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

  Wedding Budget Calculator

  Estimate total wedding costs and see how different choices affect your overall budget.

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• Videos

  The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

  Should I Invest in Gold?

  Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

  Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

  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?”

  From Boats to Brokers

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

  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.

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