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.

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Investments

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5 Smart Investing Principles

Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

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

What’s Your Investment IQ?

You make decisions for your portfolio, but how much do you really know about the products you buy? Try this quiz

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

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

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  The Business Cycle

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  Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

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  Your Shifting Risk Tolerance

  Time and market performance may subtly and slowly imbalance your portfolio.

  Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

  Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.

  Estimating the Cost of College

  This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.

  Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President

  The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.

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• Calculators

  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.

  Impact of Taxes and Inflation

  Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.

  What Is the Dividend Yield?

  This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.

  Saving for College

  This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.

  Contributing to an IRA?

  Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.

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• Presentations

  5 Smart Investing Strategies

  There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives

  5 Smart Investing Principles

  Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

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• Videos

  When Markets React

  When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.

  Bridging the Confidence Gap

  In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.

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  Inflation and Your Portfolio

  Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

  The Rule of 72

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  The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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