Investment | Nicole T. Ryan

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.

From Boats to Brokers

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

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Bursting the Bubble

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

Earnings for All Seasons

Earnings season can move markets. What is it and why is it important?

Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

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

The Great Retirement Savings Debate: 401(k) vs. IRA

Viewing 401(k) plans and IRA plans in either/or terms might mean a missed opportunity. You can have both.

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?

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

It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

Learn about key investment principles that will help you navigate the unpredictability of the financial markets.

Inflation & Your Money

It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.

A Look at Diversification

Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.

Investing for Impact

Learn how to build a socially conscious investment portfolio and invest in your beliefs.

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Monthly Budget

Track your monthly income and expenses to get a clearer view of your cash flow.

Debt vs. Investment

Weigh the potential outcomes of paying off debt versus directing those dollars elsewhere.

How Can I Save a Million Dollars?

See what it takes in monthly contributions and time to reach a million-dollar savings goal.

How Long Will Your Money Last?

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

Comparing Investments

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

College Savings

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

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Bull and Bear Go To Market

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

The Business Cycle

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

16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

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

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

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

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.