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.

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

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The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

Estimating the Cost of College

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

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

A Primer on Dividends

A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."

Best-Performing Asset Classes

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

Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline

This helpful infographic will define bull and bear markets, as well as give a historical overview.

The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive

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

Separating the Signal From the Noise

A good professional provides important guidance and insight through the years.

Are You Ready for Your Portfolio to Make a Difference?

Learn about the rise of Impact Investing and how it may benefit you.

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How Compound Interest Works

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

Saving for College

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

What Is My Risk Tolerance?

This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.

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 the Dividend Yield?

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

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From Boats to Brokers

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

Behavioral Finance

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

Global and International Funds

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

Bursting the Bubble

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

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

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

Finding the Balance

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