Investment advice is all around us, but much of it can be confusing. Fortunately, some tried-and-true investment principles can help you boost your chance for success.

The Investors Centre of the most important pieces of investment advice is to stay consistent with your investment philosophy. Warren Buffett, for instance, has steadfastly adhered to his value-oriented strategy for decades, and that consistency has paid off. He didn’t sell when tech stocks crashed in the 1990s, and he avoided major losses when many small-cap companies boomed in the early 2000s.

Smart Investment Strategies for Long-Term Growth

It’s also wise to invest based on things that haven’t happened yet, rather than what’s recently occurred. This helps keep you from making decisions based on fear or greed, which can cloud your reasoning and cause bad decisions. Many finance “gurus” prey on these emotions to drive clicks and gain attention for their business, but you should avoid letting them make you doubt your own instincts or overconfident in your ability to make money.

Finally, don’t let taxes get in the way of your investment decisions. Consider the long-term effects of taxes (and the associated deductions and credits) before you decide which investments to buy, but don’t let taxes drive your investment choices.

Finally, when searching for an investment professional, make sure they meet fiduciary standards, which require them to act in your best interest and disclose their fees and conflicts of interest. Bankrate’s AdvisorMatch can connect you with a CFP® professional to find an adviser who meets these standards.