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 Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
Have A Question About This Topic?
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
Best-Performing Asset Classes
Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.
Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.
Value vs. Growth Investing
Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.
Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?
Even the most seasoned investors have biases affecting their financial choices.
The Sequence of Returns
A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.
The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds
Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
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.
View all articles
How Compound Interest Works
Explore how compound interest can grow your money over time with this interactive tool.
Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You
See how extra payments toward your student loans could shorten your payoff timeline.
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.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
Calculate the dividend yield of a holding and see what that means for income over time.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.
College Savings
See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.
View all calculators
What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?
$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.
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?
The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing
It's easy to let investments accumulate like old receipts in a junk drawer.
The Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall St., the stock market has a long and storied history.