thanks for the mention of EPI and HGG, I'm going to look into those.

I also like AWH, had a very nice earning release last night, raised dividend, etc.

Other indexes I like for diversified equity exposure: VSS, VEU, VIG

for short term cash: SHY and STPZ

for hedging S+P 500 exposure: PSSDX

for gold exposure: GDX, also like TGLDX (although its expenses are more than I like to pay)

Selected small and micro caps, which I hesitate to mention since they present all sorts of special risks.

of course, your own due diligence must be applied.