Growth Portfolio
Equity-led, with bonds and alternatives keeping drawdowns survivable. The classic long-horizon mix.
7 – 15 years · Moderate risk
Try a different mix
Updating…Why this allocation
A 7-15 year horizon with moderate risk tolerance is the classic growth setup — enough time to ride out cycles, enough bonds to stay calm. Equity drives most of the return, while a solid bond sleeve cushions drawdowns. A small alternatives slice adds diversification beyond traditional stocks and bonds.
Growth shifts the center of gravity decisively toward equities. Two-thirds of the portfolio is in stocks doing the compounding work; a quarter sits in bonds providing ballast when the equity sleeve drops 30%; a small alternatives slice diversifies further. Over a 10+ year horizon, a 65/25/10 mix has returned roughly 7% to 8% annualized historically, with worst-year losses in the high twenties. It's the allocation that quietly does most of the long-term wealth-building for retail investors who don't need their money for a decade or more.
Who it's for
- You have a 7 to 15 year horizon for this money.
- You're saving toward retirement, a child's education starting in 10+ years, or a long-term wealth target.
- You can hold through a 25% drawdown without selling.
- You've already covered short-term needs in cash and a Conservative or Defensive sleeve.
The honest drawback
A 65% equity allocation will lose roughly 30% in a serious stock market crash. The 2008-2009 drawdown for a similar mix was around -32% peak to trough, and the recovery to a new high took roughly three years. If a 30% drop on the account balance would force a sale, this is too much equity. The portfolio works because it's held through bear markets, not despite them.
When to revisit
Move up to Dynamic if the horizon clears 15 years and the bond ballast feels like dead weight. Move down to Balanced if a real drawdown reveals less risk tolerance than expected. Better to find out at -15% than at -32%. As the goal approaches (within 5 to 7 years), start scaling toward Defensive or Balanced so a poorly-timed crash doesn't wreck the plan.
Your ETFs
Gold as a hedge against uncertainty and inflation
US large-cap exposure — the world's deepest equity market
Developed markets outside the US for geographic diversification
Emerging market growth potential at low cost
Core bond holding — true world if available, US Aggregate otherwise
Inflation protection with government-backed real returns
How this portfolio behaves
Fees over 20 years
~$31,151 less in fees
At 0.05% a year, vs 1.00% with a robo-advisor. On $50,000.
Balanced
The classic 50/50-ish split. Equity for growth, bonds for ballast, alternatives for diversification.
→ More riskDynamic
Heavy equity for compounding, with a token bond sleeve as ballast. Built for the 15+ year game.
This is not investment advice. The information provided is for educational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.