Investment | Pete Novak, ChFC®

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.

Bull and Bear Go To Market

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

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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.

A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.

When Markets React

When markets shift, experienced investors stick to their strategy.

How Will the Economy React to AI?

What do concerns or uncertainty about AI mean for your future and your financial strategy?

Understanding Equity Compensation

Net Unrealized Appreciation and how it affects tax responsibilities.

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?

Even the most seasoned investors have biases affecting their financial choices.

Global vs. International: What’s the Difference?

International funds invest in non-U.S. markets, while global funds may invest in U.S. stocks alongside non-U.S. stocks.

Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

Three important factors when it comes to your financial life.

The Sequence of Returns

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

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What Is the Dividend Yield?

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

Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

See how switching to bi-weekly mortgage payments could reduce interest and shorten your loan.

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.

Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Compare how the same contribution grows differently in taxable versus tax-deferred accounts.

Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

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

How Long Will Your Money Last?

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

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16 Wall Street Cliches in 60 Seconds

Pundits say a lot of things about the markets. Let's see if you can keep up.

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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