Everyone knows interest rates have nowhere to go but up. It is only logical to avoid the inevitable “bond crash” by selling now, right? Not so fast.

Successful long-term investing is a function of persistence and patience, not timing. A well-diversified portfolio can withstand market cycles and deliver solid, long-term returns without subjecting the investor to the risk and stress of accurately choosing entry and exit points.

Healthcare is one of the biggest expenses a person faces in retirement.  Medicare is a government sponsored health plan for people ages 65 and older which helps meet these ever-growing costs.  Getting the most from this important benefit requires familiarizing yourself with the program and keeping up with the inevitable changes that will occur.

Non-U.S. stocks currently account for more than half the global market.  Despite this fact, investors still commit relatively small portions of their portfolios to investments abroad.  In this essay we discuss the appeal to investing overseas and address the question of how much exposure is needed to reap the benefits of international diversification.

Q:  Can you explain how TIPS work and, given widely-reported negative yields, should we be worried about their future performance?

It’s that time of year again.  A fresh batch of “Where to Invest in 2013” publications are in full circulation.  Since we know these market guides won’t ever come with warning labels—“Do not operate large 401(k) balances after reading” or “Contents may impair judgment”—a review of how last year’s predictions turned out might be warning enough.