Investment | David Scher, CFP® , ChFC®

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.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

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The Fed and How It Got That Way

Here is a quick history of the Federal Reserve and an overview of what it does.

Understanding ETFs: Building Blocks of Modern Investing

Educational ETF infographic explaining benefits, types & mechanics. Features current statistics and citations.

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.

Earnings for All Seasons

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

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.

Alternative Investments - Going Mainstream

Alternative investments are going mainstream for accredited investors. It’s critical to sort through the complexity.

How Financial Professionals Are Compensated

Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline

This helpful infographic will define bull and bear markets, as well as give a historical overview.

All Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal

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

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College Savings

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

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.

The Power of Interest - How Long Will it take My Money to Do

Use the Rule of 72 to estimate how long it takes your money to double at a given rate.

Monthly Budget

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

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Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

From Boats to Brokers

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