Investment | The Phillips Group

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.

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

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Bursting the Bubble

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

Five for Friday – May 1, 2026

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

Should I Invest in Gold?

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

All That Matters: An Investing Dinner

Mike and Ross gather around the Thanksgiving dinner table with five investor emotions. Who’s at your table?

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

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.

A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses

Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies.

Understanding The Fed’s Highwire Act

How do you choose between low unemployment and low inflation?

Five for Friday – March 27, 2026

Ross looks at higher oil prices, the ongoing benefits of last year’s big tax bill, and the mood shift on rate cuts.

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College Savings

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

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

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

Monthly Budget

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

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.

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Inflation and Your Portfolio

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

Finding the Balance

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

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

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

Are Alternative Investments Right for You?

With alternative investments, it’s critical to sort through the complexity.

The Fed and How It Got That Way

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

The Junk Drawer Approach to Investing

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