HB's Permanent Portfolio consists of 25% each cash/gold/stocks/long term bonds

25% stocks (index fund) Stocks – for profit during periods of general prosperity and/or declining inflation.

25% Gold – for profit during periods of bad inflation; during inflationary episodes gold bullion provides protection against a falling currency and other potential problems.

25% Long Term Bonds (30 year) – for profit during periods of declining interest rates; and especially during a deflation. Bonds also do reasonably well during prosperity.

25% Cash – During a recession, no particular asset class is going to do well. The cash in a Treasury Money Market Fund offers stability when portfolio asset classes fall in price. It also protects purchasing power during a deflation.