Investment | Miller and Associates at LPL Financial

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 Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs

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

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

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

Getting a Head Start on College Savings

A few strategies that may help you prepare for the cost of higher education.

The Sequence of Returns

A look at how variable rates of return impact investors over time.

Inflation & Your Money

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

TIPS for Inflation

If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.

Required Reading: The Economic Report of the President

The Economic Report of the President can help identify the forces driving — or dragging — the economy.

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.

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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.

College Savings

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

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Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

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

Bursting the Bubble

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

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

Inflation and Your Portfolio

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

Bull and Bear Go To Market

Learn about the difference between bulls and bears—markets, that is!

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.