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.
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Have A Question About This Topic?

What Smart Investors Know
Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

The Sequence of Returns
A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.

Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
Diversification, Patience, and Consistency
Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
Your Shifting Risk Tolerance
Time and market performance may subtly and slowly imbalance your portfolio.
The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive
In investments, one great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”
How to Conquer the World - 5 Financial Strategies for Savvy
Learn more about women taking control of their finances with this infographic.
The Utility of Sector Investing
Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out.
View all articles
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.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
View all calculators
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
View all presentations
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
From Boats to Brokers
From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.
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
All about how missing the best market days (or the worst!) might affect your portfolio.
Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?
There are hundreds 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.