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

Bursting the Bubble

Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

All That Matters: Summer's Over. What Matters Now?

In this episode, Mike and Ross cover what investors should be paying attention to as we ramp up into year end.

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

  Bull & Baird: What a Run

  Waiting can be the hardest part of investing. Mike Antonelli explains why it's also the most important behavior to master.

  In the Markets Now: The Reserve Currency

  Ross provides looks at the fears that the dollar will lose its reserve status and sheds light on why it's unlikely to happen.

  Bull & Baird: The Siren's Call

  In investing, a sense of purpose can protect you from a siren song of unhelpful distractions.

  Surprising Upsides in a Down Market

  In a perfect world, the stock market would only go up. However, even down markets can benefit investors in unexpected ways.

  In the Markets Now: Investing at All-Time Highs

  All-time highs can make investors nervous to dive in, but Ross looks to the data for a counter-argument.

  All That Matters: Hype and Hidden Risks

  Mike and Ross look beyond hype to the real market risks facing investors

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• Calculators

  College Savings

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

  What Is My Net Worth?

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

  Monthly Budget

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

  Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

  Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

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

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• Videos

  Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

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

  The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

  The Cycle of Investing

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

  The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

  Should I Invest in Gold?

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

  What Smart Investors Know

  Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

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