How can I change some settings in my profile area, such as "to be notified when I receive an answer on a topic?" Thanks

Go to 'My Stuff' and look in the second column from the left for all of the edit options.

You'd have to put it in your "Watched Topics" list.

There's an option in the "Edit Preferences" menu, that will automatically email you a heads up if you have any new items on your Watched Topics list.