Fools were out and about this week in an investing world jam-packed with actions and ideas. Here are three articles you might find useful as you decide how to invest your money.

Goldilocks in the Housing Market
Looking for hope in the housing market? Fool contributor Morgan Housel has spotted what he calls "the single most effective stimulus housing can ask for right now." Simply put, there are more new households being formed than there are new homes being built. That will lead to a reduction in the oversupply of homes that helped cause the housing crisis that brought misery to everyone from Lennar (NYSE: LEN) and Beazer Homes (NYSE: BZH) to Citigroup (NYSE: C).

Read the article for a look at some numbers, along with some insight from Warren Buffett.

The Ultimate Copper and Gold Mother Lode
If you're excited about gold, don't forget about copper. "Because the two metals are so often found in tandem, many of the world's largest gold mines are actually copper mines," Fool contributor Christopher Barker wrote, highlighting Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX).

Christopher also has a lesser-known company for metal investors to consider: Ivanhoe Mines (NYSE: IVN), which is "fast-tracking construction of the world's largest pending copper and gold mine." Located in Mongolia, 50 miles from the Chinese border, the mine is well positioned to meet China's need for copper and gold.

See the story to read all of Christopher's insight on the situation.

A New Era for Investors
Investors can't afford to take things at face value. For instance, there's a big difference between heavy-vehicle manufacturer Oshkosh Corp. and the more cuddly OshKosh B'Gosh brand of kids clothes, which is owned by Carter's.

Fool editor Ilan Moscovitz this week examined actions taken by two organizations with innocuous, business-friendly names: the Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Ilan points out that these lobbying groups are trying to make it harder for shareholders to nominate company directors.

"Far from protecting shareholders from 'special interests,' the Roundtable and Chamber of Commerce seem to be fighting tooth-and-nail to perpetuate the disenfranchisement of American shareholders for the benefit of the special-interest group that cuts their checks -- CEOs," he wrote.

Check out the story to read all of what Ilan has to say about the issue and to find out how you can sign up to have him keep you up to date on issues related to investor rights or financial reform.