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.
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?
It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
Learn about key investment principles that will help you navigate the unpredictability of the financial markets.
The Business Cycle
How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President
The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.
Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions
Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?
Risk Perspective
Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.
You Would Rather Be...
Are you a thrill seeker, or content to relax in the backyard? Use this flowchart to find out more about your risk tolerance.
What’s Your Investment IQ?
You make decisions for your portfolio, but how much do you really know about the products you buy? Try this quiz
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How Long Will Your Money Last?
See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.
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.
Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments
See how switching to bi-weekly mortgage payments could reduce interest and shorten your loan.
Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.
Student Loan Refinance Calculator
Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.
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Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.
Should I Invest in Gold?
Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.
The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
Investments
You’ve made investments your whole life. Work with us to help make the most of them.