Investment | Baird's Bloomington Office

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.

Should I Invest in Gold?

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

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What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.

All That Matters: Hype Cycle, Fear Cycle

Is artificial intelligence over-hyped, or will it take jobs away? Mike and Ross reflect on AI and the debt ceiling crisis.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

All That Matters: Rambling and Gambling

How should investors respond to the recent tariff news? And what do online gambling companies have to do with investing?

Five for Friday — February 6, 2026

Ross looks at corporate profits, the swoon in Bitcoin, and Gold’s movements—and reminds us to run our own race.

All That Matters: Can't Keep a Good Market Down

Mike and Ross break down what’s fueling the stock market and the economic blind spots that could catch investors off guard.

In the Markets Now: Yields, Yields, Yields

Ross gives an explainer on the relationship between bond yields and stock prices.

In the Markets Now: Scattered Thoughts on Gold

Gold is up 110% over two years — why, and why now?

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.

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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.

What Is My Net Worth?

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

College Savings

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

Student Loan Payoff Calculator: Extra Payments Can Save You

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

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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.

Inflation and Your Portfolio

Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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

Bursting the Bubble

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

Finding the Balance

The sandwich generation faces unique challenges. For many, meeting needs is a matter of finding a balance.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.