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.

Jane Bond: Decoding Diversification

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, discovering how bonds diversify a portfolio.

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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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Global and International Funds

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

Investment Challenges of the Affluent Investor

Affluent investors face unique challenges when putting together an investment strategy. Make sure you keep these in mind.

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?”

Asset Allocation

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

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President

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

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.

The Ivory Tower Changes Wall Street

Thanks to the work of three economists, we have a better understanding of what determines an asset’s price.

The ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds

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

Four Really Good Reasons to Invest

There are four very good reasons to start investing. Do you know what they are?

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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.

Saving for College

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

Impact of Taxes and Inflation

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

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.

Contributing to an IRA?

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

What Is My Risk Tolerance?

This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.

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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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Bursting the Bubble

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

The Business Cycle

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

Investments

You’ve made investments your whole life. Work with us to help make the most of 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.

Bridging the Confidence Gap

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

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

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