Investment | Don Roork

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 Business Cycle

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

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Global and International Funds

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

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?

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

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President

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

The Business Cycle

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

Investing with Your Heart

For some, the social impact of investing is just as important as the return, perhaps more important.

Understanding ETFs: Building Blocks of Modern Investing

Educational ETF infographic explaining benefits, types & mechanics. Features current statistics and citations.

The Utility of Sector Investing

Successful sector investing is dependent upon an accurate analysis about when to rotate in and out.

Asset Allocation

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

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How Compound Interest Works

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

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.

Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

See how extra payments toward your student loans could shorten your payoff timeline.

How Long Will Your Money Last?

See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.

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.

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Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

Bridging the Confidence Gap

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

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.

What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

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