Shifting markets can throw an investor’s mix of stocks, bonds and other assets off-target. For example, if stocks rally, a portfolio with 60 percent in stocks and 40 percent in bonds may grow to 70 percent in stocks. This means the investor is taking on more risk than intended. It’s possible to get back on track by rebalancing the portfolio to restore the desired asset allocation. Here’s a look at some tools to help determine an ideal mix for you, and stick with it:

—CHOOSING A PLAN: Most major investment companies offer guidance on their Web sites on how to choose an appropriate asset allocation, and how to shift it as you approach retirement . . . read more

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If you’re like most investors last year’s portfolio losses have not only caused you a great deal of financial strain, but also given you a full measure of doubt about how—and where—to begin to invest again. While it may be tempting to look towards esoteric strategies or follow popular investing gurus and TV personalities to get back on track, we’re confident that the fundamentals—not bells and whistles—are the best way to find investments worthy of your hard-earned dollars.

As individuals continue to react to the current economic climate and sort out their financial portfolios, one thing has become very clear: traditional investment ideas and practices are no longer driving our decisions. It’s time to rethink our strategies.

It seems that most election years there is a proposal from a state or local government to approve a bond to fund a public project such as a new school, open space, or another investment in the public infrastructure. You know you can vote for some of these debt securities, but did you know they are also available for public purchase? They are municipal bonds (also known as “munis”).

Municipal bonds work like other fixed-income products, such as CDs and corporate bonds. Buyers loan the issuer, in this case a municipality, some amount of money to fund a public project. The bond buyer is paid some percentage (the coupon) of the bond’s face amount while the bond remains outstanding. At the end of the holding period, the face amount is