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Articles

Investment basics
Investment Planning: The Basics
Understanding Investment Terms and Concepts
Understanding risk
Six keys to successful investing
Handling market volatility
Taxation of investments

Investment goals
Investing for Major Financial Goals
Asset Allocation
Dollar cost averaging
Can I afford to send my child to college?
Retirement planning--the basics

Choosing investment vehicles
Creating an investment portfolio
Investing in stocks
Investing in bonds
U.S. Savings Bonds: A U.S. Tradition
Mutual fund basics
Understanding mutual fund share classes
Annuity basics
Other investments
The best ways to save for college

Decision Tools

Investment planning basics
Saving or Investing calculator
Impact of Inflation on Investment Returns Calculator
Taxable vs. Tax-Free Bonds Calculator
Reaching Your Investment Goal Calculator
Consumer price index inflation calculator
Steps to financial planning success
Common investment mistakes to avoid
Simple rules for investing

Creating an investment portfolio
Building an investment portfolio
Major asset classes
Investor Profile and Asset Allocation calculator
Common types of mutual funds
Exchange traded funds and mutual funds compared
Annuities
Investing for retirement
College funding options analyzer

Taxes
Capital Gains and Dividends Tax Relief

FAQs

Investing basics
What is asset allocation and how does it work?
What is dollar cost averaging and how do I know if it's right for me?
What's the difference between growth investing and value investing?
How can I gauge my risk tolerance?
Should I invest my extra cash or use it to pay off debt?
Is there any type of insurance that can protect against losses from investments?

Creating an investment portfolio
How do I construct an investment portfolio that's right for me?
How much of my portfolio should I keep in stocks?
How long should I hang on to an investment?
What's the difference between how a college savings plan invests and how a prepaid tuition plan invests?
Does a college savings plan allow me to choose my own investments?
What recourse do I have if I'm unhappy with my college savings plan's investment performance?
How aggressive should I be when I invest for retirement?
How should I structure my retirement portfolio?

Mutual funds
Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities?
What is a mutual fund prospectus and how do I read it?
Is it better to invest in a tax-free or a taxable mutual fund?
What is the difference between an open-end and a closed-end mutual fund?
How does a 529 plan compare with investing in a mutual fund in my name?

Savings bonds
Are savings bonds a good way to save?
Are government savings bonds risk free?
Do series EE bonds offer any special advantages if used for college savings?

Stocks
Should I work with a stockbroker to buy individual stocks?
What is a stock split?
Who do I call if I have a complaint about my stockbroker?
Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities?
What are DRIPs?

Taxes
Will I have to pay tax on my investment income?
How did the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 change capital gains tax rates?
I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property?

Sidebars

Investing basics
An Old Wall Street Saying
The Rule of 72
Monitor the Progress of Your Investments

Choosing investment vehicles
Market Capitalization
What Savings or Investment Products Are Not FDIC Insured?
Questions to Ask When Buying Mutual Fund Shares

Java Calculators

Investment planning basics
Asset Allocator
Annual Stock Option Grants
Stock Option Calculator
Investment Loan
Investment Returns
Future Contracts Calculator
Municipal Bond Tax Equivalent Yield