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.

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

Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?

How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

The Fed and How It Got That Way
Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.
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 ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline
This helpful infographic will define bull and bear markets, as well as give a historical overview.
Getting a Head Start on College Savings
A few strategies that may help you prepare for the cost of higher education.
Best-Performing Asset Classes
Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.
Inflation & Your Money
It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.
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Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
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.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
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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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The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
Finding the Balance
The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.
What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?
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.