The classic 60/40 stock-bond portfolio has long been considered the gold standard for retail investors. But does it still hold up in today's market environment?

That's the question worth asking. Market conditions shift, personal circumstances evolve, and one-size-fits-all approaches rarely account for individual risk tolerance, time horizons, or financial goals.

The reality is that portfolio construction shouldn't be static. What worked for you five years ago might need adjustment now. Some investors are comfortable with higher equity exposure. Others prioritize capital preservation. A few are building strategies around inflation hedging or alternative assets.

The key insight here is that evaluating your specific situation comes first—before picking any asset allocation model. Your age, income stability, upcoming expenses, and investment timeline all matter. A 25-year-old with forty years until retirement faces completely different considerations than someone five years from retirement.

The conventional approach isn't inherently flawed. But it works best when it's actually tailored to your circumstances rather than blindly followed. That's where the real work begins. Take time to understand what allocation truly matches your needs, not just what sounds reasonable on the surface.