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.

Have A Question About This Topic?

Thank you! Oops!
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

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.

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

Risk Perspective

Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.

Estimating the Cost of College

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

Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets

When the market experiences volatility, it may be a good time to review these common terms.

The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive

In investments, one great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”

Buying a Home

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

Understanding ETFs: Building Blocks of Modern Investing

Educational ETF infographic explaining benefits, types & mechanics. Features current statistics and citations.

View all articles

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.

Monthly Budget

Track your monthly income and expenses to get a clearer view of your cash flow.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

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

Debt vs. Investment

Weigh the potential outcomes of paying off debt versus directing those dollars elsewhere.

Student Loan Refinance Calculator

Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

Calculate the dividend yield of a holding and see what that means for income over time.

View all calculators

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

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.

Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

Should I Invest in Gold?

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

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

The Fed and How It Got That Way

Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

View all videos