Most investors buy plain-vanilla bonds, and often the biggest wrinkle is that they are callable.

FORBES: Bonds With Moving Parts

Looking to diversify away from plain-vanilla stocks and bonds?

FORBES: Investing

For a long time, universities invested in a plain-vanilla mix of stocks and bonds.

NPR: Yale's Money Guru Shares Wisdom with Masses

Stocks and bonds are in, while plain vanilla instruments like annuities and insurance are definitely out.

FORBES: You Can't Take It With You