Investment | The Vermont Agency

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.

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.

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Global and International Funds

Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?

Understanding Equity Compensation

Net Unrealized Appreciation and how it affects tax responsibilities.

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions

Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?

Your Shifting Risk Tolerance

Time and market performance may subtly and slowly imbalance your portfolio.

Understanding Equity Compensation

Net Unrealized Appreciation and how it affects tax responsibilities.

A Primer on Dividends

A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."

Inflation & Your Money

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

Buying a Home

A look at what you need to think about when buying a home.

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College Savings

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

Wedding Budget Calculator

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

How Long Will Your Money Last?

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

The Power of Interest - How Long Will it take My Money to Do

Use the Rule of 72 to estimate how long it takes your money to double at a given rate.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

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

What Is My Net Worth?

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

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The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

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?"

Bursting the Bubble

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