Investment | Shields Financial

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 Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

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The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

How Financial Professionals Are Compensated

Read this overview to learn how financial advisors are compensated.

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

The Sequence of Returns

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

What It Takes to Become an Accredited Investor

What does it take to be an accredited investor? Explore the details, & the types of investments offered to those who qualify.

Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets

When the market experiences volatility, it may be a good time to review these common terms.

What’s Your Investment IQ?

You make decisions for your portfolio, but how much do you really know about the products you buy? Try this quiz

Separating the Signal From the Noise

A good professional provides important guidance and insight through the years.

Alternative Investments - Going Mainstream

Alternative investments are going mainstream for accredited investors. It’s critical to sort through the complexity.

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Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

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

Debt vs. Investment

Weigh the potential outcomes of paying off debt versus directing those dollars elsewhere.

Comparing Investments

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

How Compound Interest Works

Explore how compound interest can grow your money over time with this interactive tool.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments

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

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The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

There are thousands of ETFs available. Should you invest in them?

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

Investments

You’ve made investments your whole life. Work with us to help make the most of them.

Global and International Funds

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