Should you change your investment mix over time?

To be successful at investing, some people think they need to “get in on the ground floor” of the next “big thing.” However, instead of waiting for that one “hot” stock that may never come along, consider creating an asset allocation – a mix of investments – that’s appropriate for your needs, goals and risk tolerance.

But once you have such a mix, should you keep it intact forever, or will you need to make some changes? And if so, when?

To begin with, why is asset allocation important? Different types of investments – growth stocks, income-producing stocks, international...