Investment | 21st Century Financial

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.

Bull and Bear Go To Market

Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!

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The Business Cycle

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

How Will the Economy React to AI?

What do concerns or uncertainty about AI mean for your future and your financial strategy?

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

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

Inflation and the Real Rate of Return

Learn about the role of inflation when considering your portfolio’s rate of return with this helpful article.

What’s Your Investment IQ?

You make decisions for your portfolio, but how much do you really know about the products you buy? Try this quiz

A Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision

Investors who put off important investment decisions may face potential consequences to their future financial security.

All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal

Gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?

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

TIPS for Inflation

If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.

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Comparing Investments

Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.

How Long Will Your Money Last?

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

Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

See how switching to bi-weekly mortgage payments could reduce interest and shorten your loan.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.

How Compound Interest Works

Explore how compound interest can grow your money over time with this interactive tool.

College Savings

See how much you may need to save now to cover future college costs for your child.

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The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

Finding the Balance

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

Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

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

The Rule of 72

Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

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