Vanguard: Vanguard Perspectives®

Investment expert Dr. Charles Ellis explains how emotions could be affecting your views—and actions—about the investment markets.

Diversification in investing can help you cope with risk. But how do you determine which asset classes you should have in your portfolio? How much of your portfolio should each asset class represent? Investing expert Dr. Charles Ellis offers some suggestions to help you with the decision-making process.

Investing expert Dr. Charles Ellis explains more about the "only X percent" investment management fee you pay and why all costs are not created equal.

Gus Sauter, Vanguard's chief investment officer, explains why benchmarks aren't all created the same, including why he believes Korea is a developed market, and how the new CRSP benchmark will efficiently track stocks when they move from one category to another.

Vanguard Chief Investment Officer Gus Sauter explains how our new index fund benchmarks will help create economies of scale that can pass significant cost savings to investors.

Federal estate and gift tax rates are scheduled to jump at the end of the year, meaning you may face a significant tax hike in 2013. Alisa Shin of Vanguard Asset Management Services explains the pending changes and why investors should start planning for them now.

Choosing a trustee for your estate can be a challenge depending on your beneficiaries and family dynamics. Alisa Shin and Kevin Wick of Vanguard Asset Management Services discuss ways you can select a trustee who will carry out your wishes.

Charitable giving can play an important role in your gift and estate planning strategy. Alisa Shin and Kevin Wick of Vanguard Asset Management Services suggest that investors examine their entire estate plan and objectives, including their own financial needs, when considering giving to a charity.

Given the uncertainty of federal estate taxes next year, now may be a good time for investors to review their estate plan and determine if they want to take advantage of existing laws. Alisa Shin and Kevin Wick of Vanguard Asset Management Services suggest that investors consult an estate planning attorney to determine their best course of action.

Ford Draper of Kalmar Investment Advisers discusses his investment strategy and how he's positioning his portions of Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund and Vanguard Explorer Fund in the current market environment.

Vanguard has announced that over a number of months, 22 of its index funds will change the benchmarks used to measure their performance. Gus Sauter, Vanguard's Chief Investment Officer, explains what's behind this recent announcement.

If someone in your family dies or becomes incapacitated, would you know what to do? Vanguard's Steve Holman and Karin Risi explain how a professional can help family members talk through the issues involved in planning for the future.

What will it take to grow the economies in Europe and the U.S.? Vanguard's Peter Westaway and Roger Aliaga-Diaz tackle this question and offer some perspective on what's needed to get these economies humming again.

Many young investors struggle to prioritize their savings goals. Vanguard senior investment analyst Maria Bruno urges investors to be realistic about allotting assets to their goals, understand the different types of debt, and keep retirement savings as a top priority.

Many young investors don't know that the cost of investing is already rolled into the price of mutual funds. Vanguard senior investment analyst Maria Bruno explains how fees can erode a portfolio's value and shows why keeping investment costs low is crucial to reaching your financial goals.