Investment | Michelle Mast

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.

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

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Inflation and Your Portfolio

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

Estimating the Cost of College

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

Behavioral Finance

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

Investment Challenges of the Affluent Investor

Affluent investors face unique challenges when putting together an investment strategy. Make sure you keep these in mind.

Value vs. Growth Investing

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

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.

A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.

Impact Investing or Philanthropy

This fun piece can help your clients explore the benefits of impact investing versus founding a philanthropy.

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President

The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.

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Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

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

Debt vs. Investment

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

Student Loan Refinance Calculator

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

Monthly Budget

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

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.

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When Markets React

When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.

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?

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

All about how missing the best market days (or the worst!) might affect your portfolio.

From Boats to Brokers

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

Inflation and Your Portfolio

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.