Investment | The Planning Group of the Northwest

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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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?"

Tariff Uncertainty Could Lead to More Pro-Growth Tax Policie

This month's Washington Policy Research outlines President Trump's tariffs into five buckets.

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.

Staying the Course

Focus too much on day-to-day market performance and you could miss the larger trend.

Five for Friday – May 1, 2026

Ross sizes up this bull market then looks at sentiment, software jobs, and more.

In the Markets Now: Selloff Summary for April 3

The stock market had a fearful "sell everything" moment as it wrestled with how to process broad new tariffs.

All That Matters: Should You Be Worried About a Recession?

Mike Antonelli and Ross Mayfield address the most common question they’re hearing from clients this month.

Bank Failures Spark Questions Over Deposit Insurance

Our Washington Policy Research team explores the debate in Washington about whether to expand federal deposit insurance.

Some Things Are Just Too Hard

How is landscaping like investing? For Baird’s Mike Antonelli, they’re both things he’s happy to leave to the professionals.

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College Savings

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

What Is My Net Worth?

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

Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

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

Monthly Budget

Track your monthly income and expenses to get a clearer view of your cash flow.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

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Should You Invest in Exchange Traded Funds?

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

The Rule of 72

Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.

Bursting the Bubble

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

Should I Invest in Gold?

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

Bridging the Confidence Gap

In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.