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 Real Cost of a Vacation Home
What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?

5 Smart Investing Strategies
Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.
Related Content

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market
Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.

Getting a Head Start on College Savings
A few strategies that may help you prepare for the cost of higher education.

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?”
How Stocks Work
Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.
How Financial Professionals Are Compensated
Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.
The Business Cycle
Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.
A Primer on Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."
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.
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 
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
Saving for College
This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.
What Is the Dividend Yield?
This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.
Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
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 
When Markets React
When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.
Behavioral Finance
An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.
The Cycle of Investing
Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.
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.
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.