Investment | Illuminate Financial Group

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.

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

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From Boats to Brokers

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

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.

Bursting the Bubble

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

How to Conquer the World - 5 Financial Strategies for Savvy

Learn more about women taking control of their finances with this infographic.

Investing for Impact

Learn how to build a socially conscious investment portfolio and invest in your beliefs.

The Investment Risk No One’s Ever Heard Of

You face a risk for which the market does not compensate you, that can not be easily reduced through diversification.

The Anatomy of an Index

The S&P 500 represents a large portion of the value of the U.S. equity market, it may be worth understanding.

The Pros and Cons of an NUA Strategy

Learn the advantages of a Net Unrealized Appreciation strategy with this helpful article.

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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Monthly Budget

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

How Long Will Your Money Last?

See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.

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.

Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

See how extra payments toward your student loans could shorten your payoff timeline.

Comparing Investments

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

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The Cycle of Investing

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

Behavioral Finance

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

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

All about how missing the best market days (or the worst!) might affect your portfolio.

Finding the Balance

The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.

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.