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.

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.

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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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When Markets React

When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

Your Shifting Risk Tolerance

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

The Pros and Cons of a NUA Strategy

Learn the advantages of a Net Unrealized Appreciation strategy with this helpful article.

Four Really Good Reasons to Invest

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

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.

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.

Estimating the Cost of College

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

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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 My Risk Tolerance?

This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.

Contributing to an IRA?

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

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.

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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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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.

Finding the Balance

The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.

Behavioral Finance

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

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 Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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