PLANNING TOOLS AND ARTICLES TO ASSIST WITH INVESTMENT PLANNING The following planning tools and articles are designed to help you address investment issues.  The information provided is of a general nature and is not intended to address specific individual business situations. Remember, there is no substitute for professional advice.   Always consult with your financial team (attorney, insurance agent, investment advisor and tax advisor) before taking any action.

Investment Planning   Articles     Choosing investment vehicles       Annuity basics       Creating an investment portfolio       Investing in bonds       Investing in stocks       Mutual fund basics       Other investments       The best ways to save for college       Understanding mutual fund share classes     Investment basics       Handling market volatility       Investment planning--the basics       Six keys to successful investing       Taxation of investments       Understanding investment terms and concepts       Understanding risk     Investment goals       Asset Allocation       Can I afford to send my child to college?       Common investment goals       Dollar cost averaging       Retirement planning--the basics   Decision Tools     Creating an investment portfolio       Annuities       Asset allocation pie chart illustrator       Building an investment portfolio       College funding options analyzer       Common types of mutual funds       Exchange traded funds and mutual funds compared       Investing for retirement       Major asset classes     Investment planning basics       Common investment mistakes to avoid       Consumer price index inflation calculator       Growth of annual deposits calculator       Simple rules for investing       Steps to financial planning success       What is your risk tolerance?     Taxes       Capital gains and dividends tax relief       Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003: Highlights   FAQs     Creating an investment portfolio       Does a state savings plan allow me to choose my own investments?       How aggressive should I be when I invest for retirement?       How do I construct an investment portfolio that's right for me?       How long should I hang on to an investment?       How much of my portfolio should I keep in stocks?       How should I structure my retirement portfolio?       What recourse do I have if I'm unhappy with my state savings plan's investment performance?       What's the difference between how a state savings plan invests and how a prepaid tuition plan invests?     Investing basics       How can I gauge my risk tolerance?       Is there any type of insurance that can protect against losses from investments?       Should I invest my extra cash or use it to pay off debt?       What is asset allocation and how does it work?       What is dollar cost averaging and how do I know if it's right for me?       What's the difference between growth investing and value investing?     Mutual funds       How does a 529 plan compare with investing in a mutual fund in my name?       Is it better to invest in a tax-free or a taxable mutual fund?       Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities?       What is a mutual fund prospectus and how do I read it?       What is the difference between an open-end and a closed-end mutual fund?     Savings bonds       Are government savings bonds risk free?       Are savings bonds a good way to save?       Do series EE bonds offer any special advantages if used for college savings?     Stocks       Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities?       Should I work with a stockbroker to buy individual stocks?       What are DRIPs?       What is a stock split?       Who do I call if I have a complaint about my stockbroker?     Taxes       How did the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 change capital gains tax rates?       I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property?       Will I have to pay tax on my investment income?