Investment | David R. Bretz, CFP®, CKA®

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: Scaling the Ladder

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.

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Behavioral Finance

An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.

Best-Performing Asset Classes

Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.

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 ABCs of Zero Coupon Bonds

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

Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets

When the market experiences volatility, it may be a good time to review these common terms.

Four Really Good Reasons to Invest

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

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?

Even the most seasoned investors have biases affecting their financial choices.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio

Over time, different investments' performances can shift a portfolio’s intent and risk profile. Rebalancing may be critical.

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.

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Saving for College

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

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

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

What Is the Dividend Yield?

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

How Compound Interest Works

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

Impact of Taxes and Inflation

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

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The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

Global and International Funds

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

From Boats to Brokers

From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.

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.