With the low fees and wide selection of ETFs, you can now build a portfolio for maximum and minimum fees relatively easily. Here’s one such sample portfolio from Kiplinger that allocates 65% to bonds, 35% to stocks. The bond section is spread between conservative, laddered treasures and riskier junk bonds. As of a month ago, the yield for the portfolio was 6.4%. Not too shabby when you consider inflation is practically non existent and you can lock your money up for 10 years in treasury notes for a measly 3.6%.

• 25% iShares iBoxx $ Inv Grade Corp (LQD)
• 15% iShares iBoxx $ High Yld Corp (HYG)
• 15% PowerShares Em Mkts Sov Debt (PCY)
• 15% Vanguard REIT (VNQ)
• 10% iShares DJ Select Dividend (DVY)
• 10% PowerShares 1-30 Laddered Treas (PLW)
• 10% Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU)

LQD

The iShares iBoxx $ Inv Grade Corp ETF tracks the iBoxx $ Liquid Investment Grade Index.
EXPENSE RATIO:0.15%
YIELD:5.30%

HYG

Seeks the results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the iBoxx(Reg. TM) $ Liquid High Yield Index. The fund invests at least 90% of assets in securities that comprise the index. However, it may invest up to 20% of assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, and in bonds not included within the index
EXPENSE RATIO:0.50%
YIELD:9.78%

PCY

This fund normally invests at least 80% of total assets in emerging markets U.S. dollar-denominated government bonds.
EXPENSE RATIO:0.50%
YIELD:6.08%

VNQ

The Vanguard REIT ETF tracks the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) US REIT Index.
EXPENSE RATIO:0.11%
YIELD:5.58%

DVY

The iShares DJ Select Dividend ETF tracks the Dow Jones Select Dividend index.
EXPENSE RATIO:0.40%
YIELD: 4.32%

PLW

This fund normally invests at least 80% of total assets in U.S. Treasury securities.
EXPENSE RATIO:0.25%
YIELD:3.56%

XLU

INDEX:The Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF tracks the S&P International Dividend Opportunities index.
EXPENSE RATIO:0.48%
YIELD:3.57%

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