On March 14, 1988, 18-year-old Scott Hilbert left his family home in Ohio after leaving his parents a short note.…
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Guy Heckle: The Boy Scout Who Vanished Beside the Cedar River
On a February night in 1973, eleven-year-old Guy Howard Heckle disappeared during his first overnight Boy Scout camping trip. He…
Read MoreChoosing an investment strategy is an important financial decision. There is no single investment approach that is appropriate for everyone because investors have different goals, timelines, incomes, financial responsibilities, and tolerance for risk.
An investment strategy should therefore begin with the investor rather than with a particular financial product. Start With Your Financial…
Read MoreFinancial goals provide direction for saving, spending, and investing. Without clear goals, it can be difficult to determine how much money to save or which investment strategy may be appropriate.
A long-term investment plan connects financial goals with a structured approach to saving and investing. It helps investors focus on…
Read MoreInflation is an important economic concept that affects everyday spending, savings, and investments. When inflation occurs, the general price level of goods and services increases over time, which means that the purchasing power of money can decline.
Understanding inflation is particularly important for long-term investors because an investment’s nominal return does not necessarily represent its increase in…
Read MoreUnexpected financial problems can happen at any time. A medical bill, vehicle repair, job interruption, home maintenance problem, or family emergency can create significant expenses without warning. An emergency fund is designed to provide financial support when these unexpected situations occur.
An emergency fund is money kept specifically for genuine emergencies. It is different from money saved for vacations, shopping, entertainment,…
Read MoreFinancial stability has become an important goal for individuals and families around the world. Depending entirely on one source of income can sometimes create financial pressure, especially when unexpected expenses or changes in employment occur. One approach people use to strengthen their financial position is developing multiple sources of income.
Multiple income streams do not necessarily mean working several full-time jobs. They can include employment income, business income, freelance work,…
Read MoreReal estate and stocks are two well-known investment options. Both can potentially help investors build wealth, but they have different characteristics, risks, costs, and levels of involvement.
Understanding the differences between these investments can help individuals think more carefully about which options may fit their financial goals.…
Read MoreInvesting always involves some level of uncertainty. Prices can rise and fall, companies can experience difficulties, and economic conditions can change. One strategy investors often use to manage some investment risks is diversification.
Diversification means spreading investments across different assets rather than placing all available money into one investment. While diversification cannot eliminate…
Read MoreCompound interest is one of the most important concepts in personal finance and investing. It explains how money can grow when returns earned on an investment are reinvested and subsequently generate additional returns.
The basic idea is simple: instead of earning returns only on your original investment, you can potentially earn returns on…
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