Investment | Linda Clayton, CFP®, MBA ,CDFA®,

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 Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

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5 Smart Investing Strategies

Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.

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The Business Cycle

How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?

The Anatomy of an Index

The S&P 500 represents a large portion of the value of the U.S. equity market, it may be worth understanding.

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

Inflation & Your Money

It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.

The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive

In investments, one great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”

Global vs. International: What’s The Difference?

International funds invest in non-U.S. markets, while global funds may invest in U.S. stocks alongside non-U.S. stocks.

Asset Allocation

Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.

The Business Cycle

Understanding the economy's cycles can help put current business conditions in better perspective.

How to Invest in LGBTQ+ Friendly Companies

This article allows those who support LGBTQ+ interests to explore the possibilities of Socially Responsible Investing.

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What Is the Dividend Yield?

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

What Is My Risk Tolerance?

This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.

How Compound Interest Works

Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.

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.

Contributing to an IRA?

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

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5 Smart Investing Strategies

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

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The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

Bridging the Confidence Gap

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

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

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