"Investors should not forget that we tend to have the best news at market tops and the worst news at or near the bottoms; that means that a rising tide of bad news is an important part of the bottoming process," explains Keith Fitz-Gerald.

Emphasizing the need for patience in the current environment, the editor of The Money Map Report is maintaining a diversified portfolio including several quality income-oriented positions from Nuveen, PIMCO ad Vanguard. Here's a trio funds for safety and income.

"Nuveen Quality Income Municipal Fund (NYSE: NQU) seeks current income exempt from regular federal income tax. A lot of folks are fleeing munis right now because they're fearful of the credit crisis and an anticipated wave of municipal defaults.

"What makes NQU appealing is that it concentrates substantially all of its assets in a diversified portfolio of AA federal tax-exempt investments, which gives it an added safety cushion. Right now the taxable equivalent distribution rate is 9%.

"And don't forget: Right now it's selling at 7.97% below its net asset value. This gives us a super way to potentially achieve over 16% this year. That's especially appealing given how the markets are behaving lately.

"Buy bonds," says income expert Neil George, adding "More and more folks are heading for the door on stocks and are moving toward quality."

The senior editor of Personal Finance explains, "This means bonds-but not just any bonds: government and upper-tier corporate bonds." Here's a trio of favorites.

"We start with AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund (NYSE: AWF). This fund owns a collection of government and government agency bonds, along with some selected high-quality domestic and foreign corporates that add to our stability.

"We aren't just locked into the US and the US dollar; we have exposure to the best of Europe, Asia and elsewhere, too. The average duration (measurement of price against changes in yield) is a conservative but attractive 7.4 years.

"The fund generates a yield just shy of 8% and has given us a positive performance of near 100% during the past five years. It trades at a discount of more than 6% to meltdown value.