"We've all read stories about the states' budget woes. In the wake of falling tax revenues, brought on by the decline in the housing market and the recession, U.S. states are tightening their belts; so why would I invest in state municipal bonds?" asks income specialist Amy Calistri.

The editor of The Daily Paycheck explains, "Here's the reasoning behind our recommendation for PIMCO Municipal Income (PMF).

"In the wake of falling tax revenues, brought on by the decline in the housing market and the recession, U.S. states are tightening their belts. Some states, such as California, are facing sizable budget challenges.

"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.

This post is part of a 12-article feature that can be read here: Today's best income ideas.

"You don't have to be in the upper tax bracket to rake in higher returns from these tax-free bonds," says income expert Carla Pasternak.

In her High Yield Investing, she looks two favorite vehicles: Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities (NYSE: IMS), with a tax-equivalent yield of 7.9% and Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund (NYSE: MHF), with a tax-equivalent yield of 11.1%.

With stock prices near decade lows and fear at generational highs, many market participants are looking for harbors in the storm -- and turning their eye from high risk growth stock opportunities to what are generally more conservative income ideas.

For those looking to broaden their holdings to include yield-generated income, we turned to a dozen leading newsletter advisors who in turn offered a wide variety of income-oriented ETF and fund favorites.

Yes, fixed income holdings have their own risks. But in general, a diversified portfolio -- balanced between stocks and bonds -- has proven a more defensive posture. In addition, the selections in this report are funds and ETFs; as such the investments themselves are diversified among many holdings.