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.

Featured Video

Global and International Funds

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

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?

In the Markets Now: Quick Crash, Quick Bounce

A look at the 24 other times since 2010 that the market sold off 6% in three days (and what it looked like one year later).

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.

• Articles

  In the Markets Now: 2,025 Things for 2025

  Ross presents 8 themes heading into the new year, provides perspective to investors, and has a little fun with arithmetic.

  Five for Friday – July 31, 2026

  Ross looks at the breadth of today’s market and the lessons of the past to gauge market resilience.

  The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds

  Understanding some basic concepts may help you assess whether zero-coupon bonds have a place in your portfolio.

  Five for Friday – May 1, 2026

  Ross sizes up this bull market then looks at sentiment, software jobs, and more.

  Five for Friday – July 24, 2026

  Ross looks at what’s happening under the market’s surface and why investors may not be as diversified as they think they are.

  All That Matters: Post-Election Roundup

  Mike and Ross hash out the election: Were their predictions true? Why is the market up? Where do we go from here?

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• Calculators

  Monthly Budget

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

  Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

  See how extra payments toward your student loans could shorten your payoff timeline.

  What Is My Net Worth?

  Get a snapshot of your overall financial picture by calculating your total net worth.

  College Savings

  See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.

  Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

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• Videos

  The Cycle of Investing

  Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.

  What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

  $1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.

  Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

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

  Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

  There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

  Where Is the Market Headed?

  We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, "What's next for the financial markets?"

  Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

  Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.

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