Rebalancing can occur based on a calendar method or a percentage of asset method.

FORBES: Investment Principle Matters to Principal

The percentage of asset method requires more work because frequent portfolio monitoring is needed to determine when asset classes move outside of their tolerance bands.

FORBES: Investment Principle Matters to Principal

The asset price method treats the purchase of an asset, such as a house, as it does the purchase of any consumer good.

FORBES: Why QE2 Inflation Is Like A Tax On Disposable Income

Because the asset price method can lead to inappropriate results for goods that are purchased largely for investment reasons, the CPI implemented the rental equivalence approach to measuring price change for owner-occupied housing.

FORBES: Why QE2 Inflation Is Like A Tax On Disposable Income

The asset allocation recommendation under the Cosmo method is about as useful as a questionnaire to determine if you should have dated the person that just walked out the door.

FORBES: Is Cosmo Directing Your Portfolio?

The simplest method of help is through asset allocation funds like balanced and target date funds.

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At colleges using the Profile aid method, the value of the account is treated as a student asset and is assessed heavily (at 25% a year).

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