We've constructed three portfolios using only funds from the Kiplinger 25, a list of our favorite no-load mutual funds, designed for investors with different goals, time horizons and levels of risk tolerance.
Use the models below as a starting point for your own portfolio. Tweak where necessary. Beef up your stocks if you want to be more aggressive, or increase the bond portion of your portfolio if you're risk-averse.
Kiplinger 25 Model Portfolios
1. Aggressive Portfolio
Time horizon: 11 years or more
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Strategy: Invest 80% of assets in stocks and add a stable, core bond fund for the remaining 20%.
Dodge & Cox Income (DODIX): 20%
Dodge & Cox Stock (DODGX): 20%
Primecap Odyssey Growth (POGRX): 20%
Fidelity International Growth (FIGFX): 10%
T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value (PRSVX): 10%
Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities (OBSOX): 10%
Baron Emerging Markets (BEXFX): 5%
Brown Capital Management International Small Company (BCSVX): 5%
2. Moderate Portfolio
Time horizon: Six to 10 years
Strategy: Hold 70% in stocks and 30% in bonds for a more temperate mix.
T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth (PRDGX): 20%
Baird Aggregate Bond (BAGSX): 15%
Dodge & Cox Stock (DODGX): 15%
Fidelity International Growth (FIGFX): 15%
Fidelity Strategic Income (FADMX): 15%
Janus Henderson Global Equity Income (HFQTX): 10%
DF Dent Midcap Growth (DFDMX): 5%
T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value (PRSVX): 5%
3. Conservative Portfolio
Time horizon: Five years or less
Strategy: A steadier blend of 70% bonds and 30% stocks geared primarily for income.
Dodge & Cox Income (DODIX): 25%
T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth (PRDGX): 15%
Vanguard Equity Income (VEIPX): 15%
Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade (VFSTX): 15%
Fidelity Strategic Income (FADMX): 10%
T. Rowe Price Floating Rate (PRFRX): 5%
Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond (VEMBX): 5%
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate (VWEHX): 5%
Vanguard Wellington (VWELX): 5%
Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.
Related content
- The Kiplinger Dividend 15: Our Favorite Dividend-Paying Stocks
- Kip ETF 20: The Best Cheap ETFs You Can Buy
- Kiplinger ESG 20: Our Favorite ESG Stock and Fund Picks for Investors
-
Loyalty Doesn’t Pay: Why Your Car Insurance Keeps Going UpYou’ve been a good customer, now your premium is creeping up. Here’s why loyalty might be costing you on car insurance.
-
How Much Can Seniors Save With Mint Mobile’s 55+ Plan?Mint Mobile is offering a $15 monthly plan for adults 55 and older that includes unlimited talk and text and 5 GB of data, but there are some important terms to keep in mind.
-
5 Core Stocks Every Investor Should Own In 2026 and BeyondCore stocks are solid, long-term investments that provide stable returns and steady growth within your portfolio. Here are five we like.
-
How to Calm Your Retirement Nerves When It's Time to Shift from Savings Mode to Spending ModeTransitioning from saving to spending in retirement can be tricky, but devising a strategic plan can help ensure a smooth and worry-free retirement.
-
Why Wills and Trusts Aren't Enough in the Great Wealth Transfer, From an Attorney Who KnowsFamilies need to prepare heirs through communication and financial know-how, or all that money could end up causing confusion, conflict and costly mistakes.
-
Private Markets for Main Street: What Financial Advisers' Clients Need to KnowWith product innovation 'democratizing' private market access for everyday investors, advisers must step up their game to educate clients on the pros and cons.
-
Dow Climbs 327 Points, Crosses 48,000: Stock Market TodayMarkets are pricing the end of the longest government shutdown in history – and another solid set of quarterly earnings.
-
The Best Homebuilder ETFs to BuyThe best homebuilder ETFs give investors efficient exposure to growth-oriented real estate assets.
-
Seven Practical Steps to Kick Off Your 2026 Financial PlanningIt's time to stop chasing net worth and start chasing real worth. Here's how to craft a plan that supports your well-being today and in the future.
-
A Retirement Plan Isn't Just a Number: Strategic Withdrawals Can Make a Huge DifferenceA major reason not to set your retirement plan on autopilot: sequence of returns risk. Here's how to help ensure a bad market won't sink your golden years.
