Investment | Deborah Trouw

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.

Bursting the Bubble

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

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What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

Getting a Head Start on College Savings

A few strategies that may help you prepare for the cost of higher education.

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

How Financial Professionals Are Compensated

Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

Estimating the Cost of College

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

Best-Performing Asset Classes

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

How to Conquer the World - 5 Financial Strategies for Savvy

Learn more about women taking control of their finances with this infographic.

Earnings for All Seasons

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

Value vs. Growth Investing

Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.

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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.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

Calculate the dividend yield of a holding and see what that means for income over time.

Student Loan Refinance Calculator

Compare your current student loan terms to a potential refinance to see if it makes sense.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

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

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Finding the Balance

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

When Markets React

When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.

The Cycle of Investing

Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.