Getting Started Articles
Trump Accounts: Key Rules to Know Before You Contribute
August 2026 by Charles Rotblut
The positives and caveats to consider with the new Trump Accounts.
August 2026 by Charles Rotblut
The positives and caveats to consider with the new Trump Accounts.
What to Consider Before Investing
March 2024 by Anine Sus
The choices you make regarding how often you want to invest and what you want to invest in should all lead you to the same conclusion.
March 2024 by Anine Sus
The choices you make regarding how often you want to invest and what you want to invest in should all lead you to the same conclusion.
Cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin: What Are They?
March 2018 by Robert Baran
An introduction to cryptocurrencies and how they work.
March 2018 by Robert Baran
An introduction to cryptocurrencies and how they work.
Getting Started in Investing, Part 1
November 2017 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
If you want to invest, but don’t know how to start, these tips and links can get you going. Part 1 of a new series.
November 2017 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
If you want to invest, but don’t know how to start, these tips and links can get you going. Part 1 of a new series.
Certificates of Deposit
July 2008 by AAII Staff
A certificate of deposit (CD) is an interest-paying savings vehicle. A CD has a stated maturity date, a specified interest rate and can be issued in any denomination by commercial banks, thrifts and credit unions. Putting your cash reserve in a CD can earn you more interest than using a cash deposit account.
July 2008 by AAII Staff
A certificate of deposit (CD) is an interest-paying savings vehicle. A CD has a stated maturity date, a specified interest rate and can be issued in any denomination by commercial banks, thrifts and credit unions. Putting your cash reserve in a CD can earn you more interest than using a cash deposit account.
American Depositary Receipts
August 2007 by AAII Staff
An American depositary receipt (ADR) represents shares of a non-U.S. publicly traded company and is traded on the U.S. exchanges. ADRs make it easier for U.S.-based investors to buy and sell foreign stocks.
August 2007 by AAII Staff
An American depositary receipt (ADR) represents shares of a non-U.S. publicly traded company and is traded on the U.S. exchanges. ADRs make it easier for U.S.-based investors to buy and sell foreign stocks.
REITs--Real Estate Investment Trusts
July 2007 by AAII Staff
A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a corporation or trust that purchases and manages income property and/or mortgage loans. Any investor looking to add real estate to a portfolio for diversification purposes may find REITs an attractive option. Find out the pros and cons of investing in REITs.
July 2007 by AAII Staff
A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a corporation or trust that purchases and manages income property and/or mortgage loans. Any investor looking to add real estate to a portfolio for diversification purposes may find REITs an attractive option. Find out the pros and cons of investing in REITs.
Navigating Through EDGAR: What to Look for on the SEC Web Site
September 2004 by John Deysher
One of the most useful Web sites for investors is the SEC's EDGAR, which contains required filings and forms of public corporations, with detailed financial disclosures. A guide to the the key filings.
September 2004 by John Deysher
One of the most useful Web sites for investors is the SEC's EDGAR, which contains required filings and forms of public corporations, with detailed financial disclosures. A guide to the the key filings.
From the SEC: Micro-Cap Fraud
August 2004 by AAII Staff
Accurate information on micro-cap stocks is sometimes difficult to find. Tips on how to recognize fraud schemes.
August 2004 by AAII Staff
Accurate information on micro-cap stocks is sometimes difficult to find. Tips on how to recognize fraud schemes.
The Basics: What Is the Over-the-Counter Market?
August 2004 by AAII Staff
"Over the counter" loosely applies to securities not traded on an organized exchange. Although they encompass Nasdaq stocks, they also include the less-regulated OTC Bulletin Board and the unregulated Pink Sheets.
August 2004 by AAII Staff
"Over the counter" loosely applies to securities not traded on an organized exchange. Although they encompass Nasdaq stocks, they also include the less-regulated OTC Bulletin Board and the unregulated Pink Sheets.
The Top 10 Economic Indicators: What to Watch and Why
August 2003 by Jenna Brashear
Learn about the U.S.’ top 10 economic indicators and why analyzing them can help highlight the nation’s financial health.
August 2003 by Jenna Brashear
Learn about the U.S.’ top 10 economic indicators and why analyzing them can help highlight the nation’s financial health.
Outrageous Advertising: A Survival Guide for Investors
September 2001 by AAII Staff
You wouldn't believe a used car salesman who claimed that an old car had only been driven to church on Sundays. Yet many investors paid good money to a newsletter that claimed it turned $10,000 into over $40 million in 13 years.
September 2001 by AAII Staff
You wouldn't believe a used car salesman who claimed that an old car had only been driven to church on Sundays. Yet many investors paid good money to a newsletter that claimed it turned $10,000 into over $40 million in 13 years.
The Psychology Behind Common Investor Mistakes
April 2000 by R. Douglas Van Eaton
Standard finance models assume that investors take in information and make logically "correct" decisions. Behavioral finance introduces the possibility of less-than-perfectly-rational behavior.
April 2000 by R. Douglas Van Eaton
Standard finance models assume that investors take in information and make logically "correct" decisions. Behavioral finance introduces the possibility of less-than-perfectly-rational behavior.
What Every Investor Should Know About Mutual Funds
February 2000 by John Markese
Stock funds at the top of the performance lists may continue outperforming in the next period. But what is more telling is that bad funds tend to continue to be bad. Mutual fund pearls of wisdom.
February 2000 by John Markese
Stock funds at the top of the performance lists may continue outperforming in the next period. But what is more telling is that bad funds tend to continue to be bad. Mutual fund pearls of wisdom.
It's a Balancing Act
August 1997 by AAII Staff
You've carefully weighed in your own mind how you want your retirement portfolio to look: just the right amount of your assets allocated to stocks versus fixed-income investments. Then, inevitably, the market jumps up or down, and your portfolio is thrown completely off balance. What should you do?
August 1997 by AAII Staff
You've carefully weighed in your own mind how you want your retirement portfolio to look: just the right amount of your assets allocated to stocks versus fixed-income investments. Then, inevitably, the market jumps up or down, and your portfolio is thrown completely off balance. What should you do?
Getting Started: Developing an Investing Plan From Ground Level
November 1996 by AAII Staff
Younger investors building an investment portfolio from scratch face the limitations of their meager savings. A case study gives one example of where to begin.
November 1996 by AAII Staff
Younger investors building an investment portfolio from scratch face the limitations of their meager savings. A case study gives one example of where to begin.
Is R-I-S-K Really a Four-Letter Word?
February 1996 by AAII Staff
It can be - but in the investment world, risk is impossible to avoid. The trick is how to get risk to work for you, and not against you.
February 1996 by AAII Staff
It can be - but in the investment world, risk is impossible to avoid. The trick is how to get risk to work for you, and not against you.
401(k) Plan Pluses and Minuses: How Does It Add Up?
April 1995 by AAII Staff
Retirement is a long way down the road for many employees. But the decision over whether you should contribute to a 401(k) plan can have a big impact on your long-term financial future. These plans offer significant advantages. But there are also certain disadvantages. Your contribution decision should be based on adding up the pluses and minuses, and seeing which comes out on top.
April 1995 by AAII Staff
Retirement is a long way down the road for many employees. But the decision over whether you should contribute to a 401(k) plan can have a big impact on your long-term financial future. These plans offer significant advantages. But there are also certain disadvantages. Your contribution decision should be based on adding up the pluses and minuses, and seeing which comes out on top.
The First Step
February 1995 by AAII Staff
When entering a 401(k) plan, you may experience nightmares trying to figure out how to achieve a proper asset allocation with your first contribution. Where to start with your initial investment.
February 1995 by AAII Staff
When entering a 401(k) plan, you may experience nightmares trying to figure out how to achieve a proper asset allocation with your first contribution. Where to start with your initial investment.
Starting an Investment Program With Dollar Cost Averaging
September 1992 by John Markese
Starting an investment plan can be daunting, particularly when facing a sea of stock market uncertainty. Taking the plunge can be made easier, however, using averaging techniques. A look at dollar cost and value averaging.
September 1992 by John Markese
Starting an investment plan can be daunting, particularly when facing a sea of stock market uncertainty. Taking the plunge can be made easier, however, using averaging techniques. A look at dollar cost and value averaging.
Saving Time and Taxes Through Good Recordkeeping
February 1992 by AAII Staff
No one likes a lot of paperwork. But maintaining accurate records can save time when taxes are due, and aggravation if the IRS challenges your filing. Helpful tips on maintaining records for tax purposes.
February 1992 by AAII Staff
No one likes a lot of paperwork. But maintaining accurate records can save time when taxes are due, and aggravation if the IRS challenges your filing. Helpful tips on maintaining records for tax purposes.