Investing

How would you evaluate your knowledge about investing? Take a deeper dive into investing by reviewing our articles that discuss a variety of topics, including college savings, mutual funds, stocks, portfolio diversification, IRAs, estate planning and more.

A retired couple on a boat feeling confident about their finances and different types of investments

Understanding Different Types of Investments

Different types of investments include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs, each offering unique characteristics and potential risks and returns.

How Grandparents Can Contribute to 529 Plans

You might be focused on setting up a 529 plan for your children, but did you know grandparents can also contribute? Here's how.

College students need to be aware of 529 plan myths.

529 Plan Myths: 6 Common Misconceptions Debunked

Separate fact from fiction before you start saving with a 529 plan. Here are six common myths and the truth behind each.

A mature couple spends time outdoors and happily discusses how to invest during recession

How to Invest During a Recession

If you're curious about how to invest during a recession, it's wise to think about your investing goals first, then consider the economic conditions.

financial advisor explains the impact of inflation on savings and investments to a young couple

The Impact of Inflation on Your Savings & Investments

Understanding how market forces can influence your assets is the first step toward protecting yourself against potential adverse effects.

A young, smiling professional opening an investment account on her laptop

What to Know About Opening an Investment Account

Setting up an investment account — including a retirement account, an educational account or a brokerage account — requires careful thought.

What Is a Target Date Fund?

Target date funds offer a mix of stocks and bonds that automatically shifts toward the latter as you approach retirement (or the start of college).

What Are Financial Assets?

Financial assets are contractual assets that derive their value from ownership claims. Examples of financial assets include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, cash, checking/savings accounts, and certificates of deposit.

A father plays with his son after learning 529 plan rules and establishing a savings plan

5 529 Plan Rules to Know

529 plans can help you save money for education expenses, but there are some rules to know.

What Is Asset Allocation?

Asset allocation is the foundation of investment portfolio construction. When choosing your investments, you'll choose an appropriate mix of assets.

Friends on the beach discuss how to invest in your 20s

How to Start Investing in Your 20's

To start investing in your 20s, begin by setting aside a portion of your earnings regularly into an age-appropriate diversified portfolio, consider tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, and automate contributions for consistency and long-term growth.

Middle Aged Man Researching Mutual Funds

What Are the Different Types of Mutual Funds?

Knowing the basic types of mutual funds and how they are categorized may help you decide the specific types to invest in.

Students sit together on a campus lawn discussing how they saved for their college expenses

8 College Expenses to Consider

On top of tuition, there are several other common college expenses to consider when saving.

A woman researches how compound interest works on her laptop.

How Does Compound Interest Work?

Compound interest can help grow your retirement savings. Here's some information on how it works.

Family hugging on the couch after parents discussed long-term investments vs. short-term investments

Long-Term Investments vs. Short-Term Investments: What's the Difference?

Not every investing strategy will suit every set of goals, and it may be helpful to know the difference between short- and long-term investments.

Older man reading on a park bench about hybrid mutual funds

What Is a Hybrid Mutual Fund?

A hybrid mutual fund can offer more diversification than some other investment types.

Older couple on laptop laughing and reading about why stocks split

What Is a Stock Split?

When one share becomes two shares or three shares, do you know what that means for your investment?

A couple sitting on the couch learning about investing 101

Investing 101: How Does Investing Work?

This guide covers investing basics, including the most common types of investments, tax rules and potential risks.

Two young men studying abroad fund their education with a 529 college savings plan

Using a 529 College Savings Plan to Study Abroad

You can pay for some costs of studying abroad with your 529 college savings plan.

Does a 529 Plan Affect Financial Aid?

Many students rely on financial aid to get through college, so you may want to know how a 529 plan can impact financial aid.

Who Can Contribute to a 529 Plan?

529 college savings plans aren't just for parents. Almost anyone can contribute to one, but there are some rules.

mature couple receives investment education from financial advisor and learns about investment myths

Investment Education: 5 Common Investment Myths Debunked

Do you need to be a millionaire to invest? Is investing equivalent to pulling the lever on a slot machine? We're here to debunk these myths and more.

Woman researching mutual fund terms on a computer

9 Mutual Fund Terms Defined

If you're new to the world of mutual funds, you may want to understand these terms.

businessman sits outside office and checks performance of mutual funds vs. stocks in newspaper

Mutual Funds vs. Stocks: Which to Choose?

While stocks can make up a mutual fund, the two are not the same thing. So what's the difference between them, and why does it matter?

A couple sitting on the couch and researching how to pick a mutual fund

How to Pick a Mutual Fund: 5 Considerations for Your Next Investment

No mutual fund will be a good fit for everyone, but a few key factors may help you make the right decision.

Younger African American woman researching ways to invest with little money

4 Ways to Consider Investing With Little Money

Even if you don't have a lot of money, there are still a number of ways to start investing.

Asian couple riding bikes and discussing 401(k) loan vs. hardship withdrawal

401(k) Loan vs. Hardship Withdrawal: What Are the Financial Implications?

Some 401(k) plans allow you to withdraw money early under certain circumstances, but understanding the impact on your finances is important.

A happy couple consulting a financial professional about how bonds work

How Do Bonds Work

Bonds can be a standard component of a diversified portfolio. Here are the basics of different kinds of bonds and how they work.

young couple meets with financial representative at home to learn how mutual funds work as investments

How Do Mutual Funds Work?

Mutual funds aren't complicated. Learn all about mutual funds here and explore how they could help supplement your retirement savings — and help with diversification.

Person researching investment skills at home

5 Ways to Help Grow Your Investment Skills

Does the idea of learning about investing feel overwhelming? Here are some ways to potentially help you build your investment skills.

Investment Terms for Beginners

Learning investment terms is essential for navigating the world of finance and making informed investment decisions, enabling individuals to understand and participate in the complex realm of stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments with confidence.