The Basics of Investing

June 2010

What You Need to Know About U.S. Savings Bonds

Safety, convenience and tax advantages are the strong points of these securities.

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April 2009

Hang onto Your Profits

Keeping careful records, and understanding cost-basis rules will prevent you from overpaying your taxes.

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April 2009

Tips for the New Fund Owner

What paperwork to keep, how to track your investments and when to say "sell."

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April 2009

Start Your Search

From first choice to final check, here's how to find the best funds for you.

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April 2009

Build a Solid Portfolio

A balanced collection of funds will serve you better than a collection of the latest high fliers.

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April 2009

Focus on Categories

A fund's performance depends on what it buys. Find out which fund type matches your investment goals.

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April 2009

Sales Loads and Other Charges

Learn about the expenses funds charge and which ones you can avoid.

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April 2009

Why Mutual Funds?

Funds offer plenty of benefits to busy investors. Here's a quick review of how they can work for you.

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January 31, 2008

When to Sell a Stock

To make the decision easier, look for these four signs.

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January 2008

Step 5: Become an Active Participant

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January 2008

Step 4: Find an Expert Opinion

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January 2008

Step 3: Go to the Source

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January 2008

Step 2: Get a Sense of History

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January 2008

Step 1: Set Up Your Portfolio

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January 2008

5 Easy Ways to Track Your Stocks

You bought the shares. Now make sure they meet your expectations.

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December 2007

Understanding Capital Gains and Losses

What's a capital asset, and how much tax do I have to pay when I sell?

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December 2007

The ABCs of Munis

Build schools and bridges -- and earn attractive tax-free yields. Here are three ways to invest.

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August 2007

Municipal Bonds

The higher your tax bracket, the more you'll benefit from these bonds issued by state and local agencies.

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August 2007

U.S. Agency Securities

These are close enough to government bonds in terms of safety, but make sure you're aware of the risks.

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August 2007

Uncle Sam's Bonds

For safety, these bonds are the way to go.

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August 2007

Zero-Coupon Bonds

These securities are attractive only to a select few.

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August 2007

How to Buy and Sell Bonds

If you follow these tips, you'll be more likely to select good ones.

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August 2007

What Bond Ratings Mean

Stick with high-quality bonds. Here's how to find out how they rate.

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August 2007

How Bonds Work

Understand the concepts of yield, maturity, interest and price.

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August 2007

Understanding Bonds

These securities help add diversity to your portfolio and control risk. But they can be complicated.

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August 2007

Control Your Risks

Don't invest until you're ready, and don't buy anything you don't understand.

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August 2007

Make Investing a Habit

Follow these easy steps to make investing part of your daily routine.

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August 2007

Set Goals and Adopt a Strategy

Decide what you want to save for and how much you need to save, then figure out how you'll do it.

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August 2007

How to Start Investing

We'll help you set goals, adopt a strategy, make investing a habit and control your risks.

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August 2007

Growing a Fund Portfolio

Learn how funds work and how to set up a well balanced portfolio that's right for you.

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July 2007

How to Set Financial Goals

The most important step toward financial security is to translate it into your own terms.

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July 2007

Discount or Online Brokers

If you're the self-serve type, then this is the option for you.

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July 2007

Full-Service Brokers

If you'd rather pay someone else for stock recommendations, then pull into full-service.

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July 2007

Recruit the Right Broker

How much advice do you need -- and how much are you willing to pay for it?

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July 2007

Avoid Common Errors

One requirement for successful investing is keeping mistakes to a minimum. These eight mistakes recur with unnecessary frequency.

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July 2007

Establish Your Game Plan

A personalized approach and investing at regular intervals are the best ways to build wealth.

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July 2007

Check These Key Numbers

Book value, return on equity, total return and other indicators can help you zero in on quality stocks.

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July 2007

Keep an Eye on Earnings

This is the bottom line, profits. Plus, how share prices and earnings can help you compare stocks.

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July 2007

Getting Started with Stocks

Stocks can be volatile, but they have historically returned more than any other investment.

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July 2007

Build a Strong Stock Portfolio

Whether you own stocks now, or want to make your first trade, this tutorial will show you how to build a solid portfolio.

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July 2007

Look at Cash Flow

Take the time to find out where your money is going on a day-to-day basis.

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October 30, 2006

Five Keys to Investing Success:<BR>Make Investing a Habit

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October 11, 2006

What to Ask a Financial Adviser

Hiring an adviser is a two-way street. Be prepared to ask the right questions.

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September 1, 2005

Dealing With a Bad Situation

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September 1, 2005

When Annuities Can Work

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September 1, 2005

Don't Let the Bells and Whistles Distract You

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September 1, 2005

Why Variable Annuities Are Just For a Few

Smoke and mirrors can't disguise the simple truth about variable annuities: Most investors can do better elsewhere.

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May 1, 2005

Savings Bonds: EE-I, EE-I, Oh!

Savings bonds offer competitive yields, unquestioned safety and some unique tax features, too.

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March 22, 2005

Demystifying the Mutual Fund

Basic fund facts explained to help you pick funds better.

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March 21, 2005

Pick Funds the Right Way

Evaluating and choosing a mutual fund isn't as difficult as it may seem. The process really revolves around ten simple principles.

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March 21, 2005

When Stocks Head South

The best time to buy is when no one else wants to. These strategies can help keep your savings on track even as the markets tumble.

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March 21, 2005

The Run-Down on REITs

If you want income, REITs are still a great way to go. But they're not risk-free.

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March 21, 2005

Diversify Your Fund Portfolio

You'll get stability and the probability that at least one of your funds will be up no matter what the market's doing.

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March 21, 2005

Don't Try These Investments at Home

We shed some light on the dark underbelly of alternative investments.

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March 21, 2005

Time to Ditch Your Fund?

Learn to tell the difference between a fund that's hit a speedbump and one that's dropped out of the race completely.

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March 16, 2005

Four Stock Picking Tips from the Pros

Learn how to pick stocks like the pros with these four pointers.

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March 15, 2005

Follow the Inside Track?

When company executives buy or sell their own stock, should you do the same?

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March 15, 2005

How to Pick Stocks That Keep Paying

Dividend-paying stocks offer security in lean times. Here's how to spot the good ones.

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February 28, 2005

Stocking a Long-Term Portfolio

The key to winning with stocks is to stay focused on the long-term, avoid common errors and maintain a well-diversified portfolio.

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February 28, 2005

Games Wall Street Plays

We've put together a guide to help you understand what the jargonauts of Wall Street are really saying.

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February 17, 2004

Better Deals From Internet Banks

For higher yields and lower fees, consider an online checking account.

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May 1, 2003

Answers to Your Planning Questions

Are you saving enough for retirement? Do you have enough life insurance? Should you lease your next car? Here are answers to some of your most common investing, planning, money management and spending quesitons.

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May 1, 2003

Answers to Your Finances Questions

Are you saving enough for retirement? Do you have enough life insurance? Should you lease your next car? Here are answers to some of your most common investing, planning, money management and spending quesitons.

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May 1, 2003

Answers to Your Money Questions

Are you saving enough for retirement? Do you have enough life insurance? Should you lease your next car? Here are answers to some of your most common investing, planning, money management and spending quesitons.

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April 6, 2003

How to Reduce the Risks in Bonds

Bonds have risks you won't find in other types of investments. Find out how to spot risky bonds and how to avoid them.

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April 6, 2003

Riding the Yield Curve

This simple relationship between long- and short-term interest rates can tell you a lot about the bond market.

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April 6, 2003

Unlocking the Potential of Bonds

You'll know how much interest you'll receive from the beginning, but you can also profit from price moves on the secondary market.

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April 6, 2003

Types of Bonds

Not all bonds are created equal. From agencies to zero-coupons, learn the basics behind a variety of bonds.

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April 6, 2003

Understanding How Bonds Work

Bonds are IOUs from companies, governments and their agencies. Here's a brief introduction to the world of bonds.

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April 6, 2003

Add Balance with Bonds

Bonds can help balance your portfolio, but they are not risk-free. Find out how bonds work, and how to put them to work for you.

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April 4, 2003

Understand Money Funds' Risks

Shrink your chances of losing money by learning how to pick the best funds for you.

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April 4, 2003

Master the Money Market

This very-short-term credit market fuels two common savings vehicles.

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April 4, 2003

Ladder Your Money

This strategy of staggering maturities helps you stay diversified.

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April 4, 2003

Give These CDs a Spin

Certificates of deposit offer higher yields to savers who are willing to lock their money up for a specific period of time.

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April 1, 2003

Making It All Work

Tips to help your retirement-spending plan run smoothly.

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April 1, 2003

The Right Investment Mix

Find out how you should allocate your assets.

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March 23, 2003

What You Need to Know About Stocks

There's no secret to buying good stocks. You just have to have the right information and understand what it means.

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March 20, 2003

When Stock Options Aren't the Best Option

Don't overdose on company stock in your 401(k).

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February 2003

Why Mutual Fund Expenses Matter

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December 19, 2002

Boring Old Bonds

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November 14, 2002

Tips for Investing in TIPS

Treasury inflation-protection securities beat inflation and stock market volatility.

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October 31, 2002

Everything You Need to Know About Earnings

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August 22, 2002

Bonds Made Easy

Investing in bonds may seem complicated. This article can help clear things up.

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May 30, 2002

Demystifying the Mutual Fund, Part 2

Learn mutual fund lingo and avoid common pitfalls.

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