As other posters have said: diversification is the only free lunch because market timing is nearly impossible.  The other thing you can do is invest in yourself and increase your income earning potential (which, to me, means both the absolute amount of income you make and how much your enjoy your job and therefore how long you can last in it).  As returns on financial capital decrease, returns on human capital (your own labor) become relatively more important and attractive.  If we are truly headed for decades of ZIRP and sub-4% (or even flat) real returns then YOU are the best place to invest your money.