Investment | Michael A Swindall

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.

Finding the Balance

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

Have A Question About This Topic?

Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

Bull & Baird: When Uncertainty Reigns

What can a recent spring storm tell us about the market's current volatility?

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

All That Matters: The National Debt (Or Does It?)

Mike and Ross review their assessment of the U.S. national debt and underscore their perspective on its impact to clients.

Surprising Upsides in a Down Market

In a perfect world, the stock market would only go up. However, even down markets can benefit investors in unexpected ways.

Getting a Head Start on College Savings

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

Five for Friday – May 22, 2026

Ross looks at near-term bubble questions, long-term optimism and a big jump in corporate profit expectations.

In the Markets Now: Selloff Summary for June 5, 2026

Equity markets fell on Friday, June 5 as the prospect of higher rates met AI anxiety and sent investors into profit-taking.

Even Now, There Are Reasons To Own Bonds

Common wisdom holds that when stocks go down, bonds should go up – but what if they both go down at the same time?

View all articles

Monthly Budget

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

College Savings

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

What Is My Net Worth?

Get a snapshot of your overall financial picture by calculating your total net worth.

Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

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

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

View all calculators

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

Bridging the Confidence Gap

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

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

The Business Cycle

How will you weather the ups and downs of the business cycle?

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?"

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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