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"Being socially responsible means different things to different people; however, in the mutual-fund world, it refers to funds that combine progressive 'social' mandates with investment criteria," explains fund expert Mark Salzinger.

In The No-Load Fund Investor, he suggests, "We have no problem with the concept of socially responsible funds for an investor who wants his investments to reflect his values, provided that the funds have also provided good risk-adjusted returns." Here, he looks at two favorites.

"Funds that call themselves socially responsible usually avoid stocks that don't meet progressive, or politically liberal, standards of environment impact, workplace environment, and diversity/tolerance and community involvement.

"We believe it is prudent to lock in some profits, and focus on developing an income stream in the event that we get either a major correction or double-dip recession," says Glenn Rogers.

The contributing editor to The Internet Wealth Builder suggests, "It seems to me to that the most promising areas worth considering are high-yield bond funds and international real estate funds, preferably with some underlying income." Here, the reviews four income ideas.

"I like high-yield bond funds, even though there is concern that interest rates will rise in 2010.

Investors are calling for an inquiry into mutual fund fees, but the Supreme Court is reminding them that it isn't beholden to public opinion. The mutual fund industry is being accused of charging "excessive" fees, which could be particularly harsh on individual investors who use these tools as their primary way to access the market. Currently, the mutual fund industry has more than $10 trillion in assets under management, some of it through retirement and 529 college savings plans.

The Court doesn't seem inclined to step into the fray, saying that regulatory agencies are better equipped to address the situation. Chief Justice John Roberts, for example, said during arguments that "It makes a lot more sense to have the SEC regulate rates than to have courts do it, doesn't it?"

"Chinese markets have been absolutely soaring this year," says long-standing income expert Carla Pasternak.

In her High Yield Investing advisory, she suggests, "The China Fund (NYSE: CHN) - ranked in the top 1% of funds in the Pacific/Asia ex-Japan category for the latest ten-year period -- should be an excellent way to play this growth story over the long term."

"China's massive stimulus spending and interest rate reductions have succeeded in igniting domestic demand.

KaChing! KaChing!

It only makes sense to call a company a sound you like to hear. This is exactly what CEO and co-founder Andy Rachleff must have had in mind. His new company -- kaChing, of course -- is backed by Marc Andreesen (a name often associated with that sound) and Jeff Jordan, the CEO of OpenTable (NASDAQ: OPEN), two guys who usually do a solid job of backing winners. But, they've taken on a challenge by backing a company in the financial services industry.

"It's time to take some profits and play defense for a while," says Glenn Rogers, adding, "Fortunately, we can hedge our bets by taking some profits and building cash reserves and reinvesting in more defensive securities."

In The Internet Wealh Builder, the advisor suggests, a trio of conservative dividend-focused exchange-traded funds.

He explains, "Everybody I talk to these days is nervous, although for different reasons. Some are nervous because they feel left behind. They sat on the sidelines and missed the incredible rally we've had since March. Now they're afraid they won't have a chance to participate because the market has been refusing to correct.

"Others are nervous because they made a pot of money in the rebound and they're afraid they could lose it all in a replay of last year's meltdown. Meanwhile, there some relatively low-risk ETFs where you could park some money while we see how all this plays out.

"With an increasingly affluent middle class fueling heavy domestic consumption, India is teeming with investment opportunities," suggests Nathan Slaughter.

In The ETF Authority, he looks to Morgan Stanley India Investment (NYSE: IIF), noting, "This exchange-traded fund has been one of the best-performing Asian funds, quintupling shareholders' money during the past decade."

"India is home to 1.2 billion citizens, second only to China as the world's most populous nation. Many of its people still eke out a marginal, agrarian lifestyle. But, more than 300 million Indians are skilled workers that have graduated to the ranks of the middle and upper classes.

One of the most valuable commodities in the world is water -- without it, mankind can't survive. While more than 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, but 97% of it is saltwater and only 1% of the remaining 3% is readily available for consumption. Water is becoming scarce, and upcoming water shortages are emerging as the population of the world increases, particularly in emerging markets like China, India, and Mexico.

A great way to include water as part of your portfolio's commodity allocation is by buying an exchange-traded fund (ETF). An ETF is a basket of stocks that allow you to invest in a single asset class, sector, country, or theme with one stock. In one ETF, you'll own not only water utility companies but also related businesses, like those that help build the infrastructure for making water suitable for drinking. You won't have to pick a single stock, rather you can own the most important stocks in the water industry -- worldwide. ETFs are perfect building blocks for building a diversified portfolio using an asset allocation strategy.

"For income investors, China is one of the hardest places on the planet to find high yields," says income specialist Carla Pasternak.

In her High Yield Investing, she suggests, "However, we have found a trio of China funds that do offer a dividend yield along with tremendous long-term potential." Here, she looks at two favorites: Oberweis China Opportunities (OBCHX) and Matthews China (MCHFX).

Pasternak explains, "I think we're in the early stages of China's economic boom, and I believe the country can continue to grow at a high single-digit pace for the next decade; if that happens, then plenty of Chinese companies will provide handsome returns for their shareholders.

"Preferred stock has been much in the news over the past 18 months, primarily as the favorite way for cash-strapped banks to raise new capital," explains Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he says, "These unusual securities are popular because they offer high yields and have a higher position in corporate credit structure than common stock." Here, he offers a pair of favored ETFs that invest in preferred shares.

"We caution that preferred stocks also have significant drawbacks that dampen their appeal. Apreferred stock is really more like a fixed-income instrument than an equity security.

"Population growth will likely spur increased demand commodities," says ETF expert Doug Fabian. In Making Money Alert he looks at PowerShares DB Commodity (NYSE: DBC).

"World population growth trends suggest massive numbers of new global citizens on the way -- citizens that are going to require essentials such as food, clothing and shelter.

"For investors who want to ride this population wave, I offer you the PowerShares DB Commodity Index, an exchange-traded fund that seeks to track the performance of the Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity index.

"Think munis are a risky deal?" asks income expert Neil George. In his Stocks that Pay You, he states, "Don't. Instead, buy them now."

However, rather than buying individual bonds, the advisor suggests that investors focus on buying closed-end muni bond funds. Here, he looks at a trio of favorites.

"The muni market isn't for the uninformed or the novice. Unlike the treasury market and much of the corporate market - when it comes to munis - you have to know each bond inside and out before you buy, and keep tabs on it after you buy.

"Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund (MSMLX) was among the top-performing funds of the first half of 2009, with a return of more than 47%," says Mark Salzinger.

In his No-Load Fund Investor, he suggests, "Though volatile, it wouldn't surprise us in the least if Matthews Asia Small Cap turned out to be one of the top-performing funds we cover over the next decade." Here is the fund's expert's review.

"The fund has benefited so far this year from its focus on China and India, two of the year's best-performing stock markets. However, the fund's mandate to invest in developing Asia's small companies also has been a boon.

As you read stories about victims of the Madoff fraud, aren't you glad that you weren't one of them? Why are you so sure that it will never happen to you? How do you know its not happening to you now?

In academic financial research, there's a concept called "agency risk." Agency risk occurs when someone who is acting as your agent has a set of interests that conflict with yours. In investing, agency risk is rampant because one party can often gain from an action that will cause a loss to the investor without the investor even knowing it! Bernie Madoff was an agent of the investors who hired him to manage their money and he was crooked for years until his scheme ended. But investors face plenty of legal, yet sometimes equally dangerous forms of agency risk. It is important to understand them and find ways to mitigate these risks.

"We are adding Artisan Opportunistic Growth (ARTRX), which we consider a 'new opportunity,' for long-term ivvestors, to our Best Buys portfolios," explains Mark Salzinger.

The mutual fund specialist and editor of The No-Load Fund Investor explains, "Launched lst September, the fund fits neatly into one of our key strategies for maximizing risk-adjusted returns: It's a new, small and flexible fund from experienced, highly successful managers.

"This new fund is managed by Andrew Stephens, James Hamel and Shayne John-the same trio of managers who guide Artisan Mid Cap to excellent long-term results.