Within my TFSA I have mostly dividend paying investments, an ETF that includes nothing but Canadian preferred shares, a REIT, a small speculative investment in a (mostly) green energy provider, and a Canadian dividend ETF. I'm investing twice a month, so no fees are important to me as well. My RRSP holds primarily index funds, went heavy on the S&P 500 a couple of years ago, but also the TSX, a small position in Canadian bonds, and a Global index fund.
I'm also no expert, but for dividend payers I chose a fund that includes only companies that have maintained their dividends for a certain period (can't remember off the top of my head), and similar with the preferred share fund. For the REIT I chose the single company that makes up the bulk of most REIT funds in Canada to save on fees. I don't think the particular funds I chose are all that amazing, there were lots of good alternatives that have done as well or better over the same time.
The small goals are important, it's nice to hit them every few months/year or so and give yourself a little pat on the back :)