forsale_2007,
10-15% returns is not considered conservative. If you can take semi-conservative with a little risk, you can consider high yield bond funds with average 10% return.

meadandale,
“I have about 15-20% of my portfolio in an international index fund.”

I have diversified portfolio with good amount of cash flow and my average return was about 17-20% last year. My overseas fund was 45% return last year. 15-20% is a kind low for int’l fund last year and also it falls into high risk category.