Investment | Terry Smith Financial Services

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.

Behavioral Finance

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

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The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?

Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

Emotional biases can adversely impact financial decision making. Here’s a few to be mindful of.

The Rule of 72

Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.

A Look at Diversification

Diversification is an investment principle designed to manage risk, but it can't prevent against a loss.

Asset Allocation

Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.

Global vs. International: What’s the Difference?

International funds invest in non-U.S. markets, while global funds may invest in U.S. stocks alongside non-U.S. stocks.

Inflation & Your Money

It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments.

Inflation and the Real Rate of Return

Learn about the role of inflation when considering your portfolio’s rate of return with this helpful article.

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?

Even the most seasoned investors have biases affecting their financial choices.

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College Savings

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

How Compound Interest Works

Explore how compound interest can grow your money over time with this interactive tool.

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 My Net Worth?

Get a snapshot of your overall financial picture by calculating your total net worth.

Comparing Investments

Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.

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Global and International Funds

Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

Behavioral Finance

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

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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