http://rss.vanguard.com/pod/plaintalk.xml A series dedicated to helping you achieve financial success through practical, easy-to-follow steps. At Vanguard, we believe you can achieve your goals when you have the tools to do the job—and that’s what Plain Talk is all about. Wed, 14 Jun 2006 09:00:00 EST The Vanguard Group 15 Vanguard Vanguard Plain Talk on Investing™ is a podcast series from Vanguard A series dedicated to helping you achieve financial success through practical, easy-to-follow steps. At Vanguard, we believe you can achieve your goals when you have the tools to do the job—and that’s what Plain Talk is all about. A series dedicated to helping you achieve financial success through practical, easy-to-follow steps. At Vanguard, we believe you can achieve your goals when you have the tools to do the job—and that’s what Plain Talk is all about. The Vanguard Group plaintalk@vanguard.com en-us no http://personal.vanguard.com/us/home http://personal.vanguard.com/web/images/vanguard_plainTalk_300x300.jpg 300 300 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTGettingStarted06222009.mp3 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:23:14 EDT Vanguard no 12:16 blumenthal, start, initial investment, new investors, personal finance An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series If you’re new to investing—whether you’re right out of school or getting started in your 30s or 40s—you may not know where to begin. In this podcast, Karen Blumenthal, author of The Wall Street Journal Guide to Starting Your Financial Life, discusses some smart investment strategies that can help you take control of your money and get on your way to lifelong financial independence. If you’re new to investing—whether you’re right out of school or getting started in your 30s or 40s—you may not know where to begin. In this podcast, Karen Blumenthal, author of The Wall Street Journal Guide to Starting Your Financial Life, discusses some smart investment strategies that can help you take control of your money and get on your way to lifelong financial independence. https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTGettingStarted06222009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTSkippingRMDs06012009.mp3 Mon, 1 Jun 2009 10:13:48 EDT Vanguard no 8:19 rinaldi, rmd, required minimum distribution, retirement, skip, An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series Recent legislation lets you skip your 2009 required minimum distribution (RMD). If you’re age 70½ or older, this could mean keeping some of your assets in your portfolio for longer to recover from the recent market downturn. Ellen Rinaldi, a Vanguard principal, gives a brief explanation of RMDs and discusses the advantages of skipping them. Recent legislation lets you skip your 2009 required minimum distribution (RMD). If you’re age 70½ or older, this could mean keeping some of your assets in your portfolio for longer to recover from the recent market downturn. Ellen Rinaldi, a Vanguard principal, gives a brief explanation of RMDs and discusses the advantages of skipping them. https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTSkippingRMDs06012009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTTrusts05112009.mp3 Mon, 11 May 2009 11:08:59 EDT Vanguard no 10:29 smith,trust,asset management,estate planning An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series A trust can be a valuable tool in helping to control the distribution of an investor's assets after he or she has passed away. In this episode, we spoke to Stephani Smith, a principal in Vanguard Asset Management Services™, to learn more about the ins and outs of trusts. Ms. Smith discusses the two basic trust types—revocable and irrevocable. She also describes how a trust can complement your other saving and investing goals and explains why it's very important to seek the guidance of an attorney in developing the trust document. A trust can be a valuable tool in helping to control the distribution of an investor's assets after he or she has passed away. In this episode, we spoke to Stephani Smith, a principal in Vanguard Asset Management Services™, to learn more about the ins and outs of trusts. Ms. Smith discusses the two basic trust types—revocable and irrevocable. She also describes how a trust can complement your other saving and investing goals and explains why it's very important to seek the guidance of an attorney in developing the trust document. https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTTrusts05112009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTIndexing04202009.mp3 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:20:19 EDT Vanguard no 11:11 index,indexing,sauter An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series Lately, some of our shareholders have been asking whether Vanguard still believes in indexing--that is, investing in a collection of securities that tries to track the performance of an established benchmark, rather than attempting to "beat the market." We spoke to Vanguard’s chief investment officer, Gus Sauter, who says our faith in indexing hasn’t been shaken. In fact, we’re convinced it makes more sense than ever. Lately, some of our shareholders have been asking whether Vanguard still believes in indexing--that is, investing in a collection of securities that tries to track the performance of an established benchmark, rather than attempting to "beat the market." We spoke to Vanguard’s chief investment officer, Gus Sauter, who says our faith in indexing hasn’t been shaken. In fact, we’re convinced it makes more sense than ever. https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTIndexing04202009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTEstate03302009.mp3 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:22:16 EDT Vanguard no 6:41 riehl, estate planning An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series If you don’t have an estate plan or haven’t updated an existing plan in several years, now may be a good time to give some thought to this important part of your financial life. In this podcast episode, Martin Riehl, who leads Vanguard Asset Management Services™, discusses how the current economic and market downturn could affect your estate planning. He also talks about the latest developments with the federal estate tax and explains why almost everyone can benefit from having an estate plan. If you don’t have an estate plan or haven’t updated an existing plan in several years, now may be a good time to give some thought to this important part of your financial life. In this podcast episode, Martin Riehl, who leads Vanguard Asset Management Services™, discusses how the current economic and market downturn could affect your estate planning. He also talks about the latest developments with the federal estate tax and explains why almost everyone can benefit from having an estate plan. https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTEstate03302009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTMaxIRA03092009.mp3 Mon, 9 Mar 2009 15:58:42 EDT Vanguard no 9:38 rinaldi,irs,investing,retirement An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series Studies show that Americans are becoming increasingly less confident in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement. Are you worried that you aren’t saving enough? One way to help increase your confidence in your retirement savings is to make sure you’re using your IRA to its full advantage. In this podcast episode, Vanguard principal Ellen Rinaldi explains the benefits of IRAs and what you can do to jump-start your retirement savings. (9:38) Studies show that Americans are becoming increasingly less confident in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement. Are you worried that you aren’t saving enough? One way to help increase your confidence in your retirement savings is to make sure you’re using your IRA to its full advantage. In this podcast episode, Vanguard principal Ellen Rinaldi explains the benefits of IRAs and what you can do to jump-start your retirement savings. (9:38) https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTMaxIRA03092009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTMoneyMkts03092009.mp3 Mon, 9 Mar 2009 11:30:16 EDT Vanguard no 7:21 glocke,money market,treasury, A special update on two closed Vanguard funds Vanguard's Treasury money market funds were closed to new accounts in January 2009. Portfolio manager David Glocke discusses additional changes affecting the two funds, and assesses the outlook for money markets in general. Vanguard's Treasury money market funds were closed to new accounts in January 2009. Portfolio manager David Glocke discusses additional changes affecting the two funds, and assesses the outlook for money markets in general. https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTMoneyMkts03092009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTLocation02172009.mp3 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:35:55 EDT Vanguard no 7:02 mcisaac,location,taxes, An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series Just as some types of accounts offer more tax advantages than others, some securities tend to produce significantly more taxable capital gains than others. Organizing your portfolio with an eye toward tax efficiency—by putting the right types of investments in the right types of accounts—can affect your bottom line. (7:02) Just as some types of accounts offer more tax advantages than others, some securities tend to produce significantly more taxable capital gains than others. Organizing your portfolio with an eye toward tax efficiency—by putting the right types of investments in the right types of accounts—can affect your bottom line. (7:02) https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTLocation02172009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTCloseGap02132009.mp3 Mon, 9 Feb 2009 14:52:51 EDT Vanguard no 11:29 rinaldi,retirement,bear market, An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series If the market downturn has put you behind schedule on the road to a financially secure retirement, you need to act quickly, decisively, and carefully. Fortunately, it is possible to rebuild your retirement savings in a fairly short period of time, as Vanguard principal Ellen Rinaldi explains. (11:29) If the market downturn has put you behind schedule on the road to a financially secure retirement, you need to act quickly, decisively, and carefully. Fortunately, it is possible to rebuild your retirement savings in a fairly short period of time, as Vanguard principal Ellen Rinaldi explains. (11:29) https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTCloseGap02132009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTRebalance01232009.mp3 Mon, 2 Feb 2009 09:16:45 EDT Vanguard no 6:57 rebalance,rebalancing,gordon, An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series With the stock market in a slump, the equity component of your portfolio may have declined relative to your bond and cash holdings, even if you haven’t made a single transaction. As a result, your asset allocation could be significantly off target. Periodically rebalancing your portfolio can help you keep you on track to reaching your investment goals, as Vanguard’s Catherine Gordon explains. (6:57) With the stock market in a slump, the equity component of your portfolio may have declined relative to your bond and cash holdings, even if you haven’t made a single transaction. As a result, your asset allocation could be significantly off target. Periodically rebalancing your portfolio can help you keep you on track to reaching your investment goals, as Vanguard’s Catherine Gordon explains. (6:57) https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTRebalance01232009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTthrift01122009.mp3 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:49:37 EDT Vanguard no 10:57 wilcox,planning,investing,saving, thrift An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series The personal savings rate among Americans has been on the decline for more than 20 years, but recent statistics show that thrift may be making a comeback as a result of the economic downturn. Ron Wilcox, Ph.D., a business professor at the University of Virginia, discusses personal savings situation. He also offers insight on how you can become a better saver and he explains why it’s important to pay attention to investment costs. (10:57) The personal savings rate among Americans has been on the decline for more than 20 years, but recent statistics show that thrift may be making a comeback as a result of the economic downturn. Ron Wilcox, Ph.D., a business professor at the University of Virginia, discusses personal savings situation. He also offers insight on how you can become a better saver and he explains why it’s important to pay attention to investment costs. (10:57) https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTthrift01122009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTNewyear01122009.mp3 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:35:55 EDT Vanguard no 8:09 gordon,planning,investing, An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series The beginning of a new year is an opportunity to reflect on what you accomplished last year and what you hope to achieve in the months ahead. And that's just as true for your portfolio as for other aspects of your life. Catherine Gordon of Vanguard's Institutional Asset Management group says that if you’re making New Year's resolutions, giving your investments a checkup should be near the top of the list. (8:09) The beginning of a new year is an opportunity to reflect on what you accomplished last year and what you hope to achieve in the months ahead. And that's just as true for your portfolio as for other aspects of your life. Catherine Gordon of Vanguard's Institutional Asset Management group says that if you’re making New Year's resolutions, giving your investments a checkup should be near the top of the list. (8:09) https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTNewyear01122009.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPT529update12312008.mp3 Tue, 6 Jan 2009 16:57:26 EDT Vanguard no 6:34 martinez,college,education,529 An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series Even with the U.S. economy struggling to regain its footing, college costs have continued to soar. In this podcast, Alba Martinez of Vanguard's Education Markets Group talks about how recent difficulties in the stock market have affected 529 college savings plans. Despite the market's painful downturn, Ms. Martinez says, investing regularly remains your best option for affording higher education. (6:34) Even with the U.S. economy struggling to regain its footing, college costs have continued to soar. In this podcast, Alba Martinez of Vanguard's Education Markets Group talks about how recent difficulties in the stock market have affected 529 college savings plans. Despite the market's painful downturn, Ms. Martinez says, investing regularly remains your best option for affording higher education. (6:34) https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPT529update12312008.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTUsinghistory12012008.mp3 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 09:51:26 EDT Vanguard no 10:43 brennan,markets,history, investing, past performance An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series In this podcast, Joe Brennan of Vanguard’s Portfolio Review Department discusses today’s volatile conditions, along with historic economic events. Joe explains how today’s enviroment is similar in some ways to past events, and highlights some distinct differences. In this podcast, Joe Brennan of Vanguard’s Portfolio Review Department discusses today’s volatile conditions, along with historic economic events. Joe explains how today’s enviroment is similar in some ways to past events, and highlights some distinct differences. https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTUsinghistory12012008.mp3 https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTSaveMore07022007.mp3 Mon, 2 Jul 2007 09:50:45 EDT Vanguard no 9:06 budget,financial planning,saving,tyson,finance,dummies An episode from Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing™ podcast series Financial author Eric Tyson offers practical tips for trimming the fat in your budget and saving more money for retirement, education, and other important long-term financial goals. Financial author Eric Tyson offers practical tips for trimming the fat in your budget and saving more money for retirement, education, and other important long-term financial goals. https://personal.vanguard.com/web/audio/PodPTSaveMore07022007.mp3