Dollar cost average in Vanguard funds. I have a 3rd in Vanguard International, a 3rd in Vanguard Total Market and 20% in Vanguard Bond and the rest in Vanguard S & P Growth fund since the crash. I'm up respectively we north of 50% in all funds except the bond, where I am up around 16%. I add approx. 200 a month to each fund automatically. That's for my retirement. For my regular investments, I am 50% Vanguard S & P, 20% Vanguard Healthcare, 20% Vanguard REIT, 10% Vanguard NY Muni Bond with automatic reinvestments. My 1 year emergency fund is in a 2% online savings account at Popular Direct. The rest is in a rewards checking account earning 3% from LMCU. I also buy one or two buildings to expand my real estate portfolio as well each year.
The bond funds are to balance out the risk on the market.