Not a recommendation, because we don't "invest" per se. It was a good time for IBonds in 2000 thru 2003, so we maxed the $30K/person/year. With the inflation clause, this has averaged 5.4%, so we don't even think about the market. There was also a small annuity that started with 4 year of variable rates (around 8% to 11%) that dropped to a minimum of 4% after that..
Between those, and Social Security CPI adjustment, we're doing OK, and haven't touched our retirement nest egg now, 30 years.
On the real estate end, we did pretty well... Since 1958, we've moved 22 times, during which period, we owned 8 homes... Each move produced a moderate profit maybe averaging about 8%. after subtracting upgrade expenses.
So... not what would be called a great success, but we're very happy, and
feel safe.
Starting over, we probably would do things differently, but would keep some part of our assets in government bonds, with an inflation adjustment guarantee.
We all have events that that tend to shade our actions. Ours came in 2008, when my best friend retired early, with a lump sum investment of $850,000 the dropped to $300.000 in a few months. I remember the trauma and sadness, as they left our 55+ Florida snowbird community to go back to Illinois. He eventually recovered, but the event affected our investment thinking.
The other part of risk avoidance, probably came from my folks, who often spoke of the great depression which was still in effect when I was little kid.
Who else here, remembers potato-peel soup?
