(MONEY Magazine) – -- Bet on the heartland to weather the recession better than the rest of the country by buying a mutual fund that invests in firms based in the Dakotas, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. IAI Regional (no load, $5,000 minimum, 800-927-3863) is up 487% in the past 10 years, compared with 300% for the average stock fund. Page 143 -- Don't count on cash-value insurance, such as variable life policies, to meet your investment needs. Despite current yields of about 8% a year, commissions, sales charges and other expenses can cut your returns by as much as 50% over the first 10 years. Page 131