Investment | Mike Halla

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.

From Boats to Brokers

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

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The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

What’s Your Investment IQ?

You make decisions for your portfolio, but how much do you really know about the products you buy? Try this quiz

What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

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

Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

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

Understanding ETFs: Building Blocks of Modern Investing

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

Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.

Are You Ready for Your Portfolio to Make a Difference?

Learn about the rise of Impact Investing and how it may benefit you.

How Stocks Work

Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?

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

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Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

See how switching to bi-weekly mortgage payments could reduce interest and shorten your loan.

Comparing Investments

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

What Is the Dividend Yield?

Calculate the dividend yield of a holding and see what that means for income over time.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to understand how lenders may view your financial health.

Wedding Budget Calculator

Estimate total wedding costs and see how different choices affect your overall budget.

Monthly Budget

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

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Bridging the Confidence Gap

In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.

The Cycle of Investing

Understanding the cycle of investing may help you avoid easy pitfalls.

Bursting the Bubble

Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

When Markets React

When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.

Where Is the Market Headed?

We all know the stock market can be unpredictable. We all want to know, "What's next for the financial markets?"