I use sharebuilder for my ROTH.

They have promo's occasionally that allow me to "auto buy" stocks on Tuesdays for free. And if your a Costco Exec member you get $2 "auto buy" purchases normally. and $7 "buy it now" purchases. Plus they generally have a free $50 or $75 signup deal.

It also allows me to buy "parts" of a share... So i can simply dump $1k at a stock, and it will buy 17.343 shares (or whatever) gets me to that $1k.

i have a scwhab account, simply for the "tools" they have. I may use that one for my "Personal - non retirement" investing. But havent got that far yet.

What about http://www.sharebuilder.com/?

The seem good for a starter, no minimums, etc. ?

edit: Thanks Albert, that helps!

oh, also.. Sharebuilder does auto-reinvestment for Dividends too.. which was discussed as being a "necessity" for Investing 102. ;)

I've just rolled in from RTTC a couple hours ago and am a bit "rummy" -- but wanted to respond to your gold question.


My feelings about any investment in precious metals are the same - gold or silver etc.

Basically I think there are two trades here -- SPECULATIVE --- which means you're HOPING it goes up from where you bought...

OR

A person is a fatalist -- and sees the world coming to an end and Gold will be the only currency.


I'm not a speculator.... and I don't see our economy becoming so bad that I'll have to use gold as a currency. If I'm going to speculate that the price of an investment is going to go up == then I want to get paid while I wait for that to happen. Dividend stocks or apartment complexes - or commercial real estate are far better long term "speculations" IMHO.

If I thought the worlds currencies were going to collapse --- then I'd have to have ALL my money invested in gold - and I'd have to take possession of it - and probably build a bomb shelter and stock food and water. :D :cheers:

But that is also why I own everything I "have" - house - cars - etc. Nobody can take that away from me even if EVERYTHING goes south.

I sure don't believe the world will end, but I do profit on the printing and spending that has gone on..

I also believe that the illegal alien student loans are being dumped onto the government books just before another bailout...Also more housing baliouts now, and to come..Print money here..

All pushing the dollar down further...So fatalist, nope, but speculative ? Well by my research, calculations and past performance the last ten years, a good speculation.But a small portion of the mix..Larger than most, but not portfolio wrecking if things go south..I have assets to counter that and pay divividends while stopping losses.

But I won't recommend it to anyone....A Volatile assets in Volatile times...Not to be taken lightly...So if you don't fully understand it, stay AWAY from it.

But I don't believe Metals are the answer..They are scary...But I have done enough research to feel good about what i am doing..

And this thread says to do your homework and know why you own something...Or you won't know when the tree is shaking or why it is shaking...The little man wants you to sell, so India and China can pick it up on sale..IMHO..

But I am crazy...So you may want to not follow the crazy man:lateral:

Woot! :woot:

3/15/2012 DIVIDEND:MCD: $5.26 :thumbsup:

it may not be much, but its a another partial share!

Remember you get this FOUR TIMES PER YEAR!

:cheers: :thumbsup:

exactly. :)

Next thing to tackle, my 401k funds... eep!

Im set for now i think on my ROTH.

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread and a huge thanks to those who have contributed, esp Greg (Grocery store guy be damned - now I can actually say I get some of my best investment advice from the guy who flags my autocross lol!). I've learned a ton in the short time I've been consuming this thread and really makes me want to get started. I like your simple, makes-sense approach Greg - esp about buy what you consume and/or understand. I run a technology company but I like to think I understand the inherent risks associated enough not to dump all my eggs in that one basket. I really like the thought of the long-term, steady-as-she-goes brands I do consume outside of technology. My money is doing little-to-nothing right now so now is as good a time as any.

Happy asking the noob questions. Choosing a broker looks like choosing a stock. I don't want to research it to death and end up doing nothing. I'm not talking about dumping $100k in - just starting small anyway. Any issue(s) changing online-discount brokers down the line? Afterall - correct me if I am wrong but I OWN the stocks regardless of where I buy/manage them, right?

G.

Other than my feet still hurt.... I love doing that stuff! The only thing is I don't get time to chat! I'd rather be driving but the Mustang doesn't qualify - so it's kind of a "why bother". I did just register for a SAAC (Shelby American club) event at Thunderhill @ the end of April... so I'll get some seat time.

++++++++++++++++++++++

YES! YOU own the stocks - and they're transferable to any brokerage. Open the new account -- do a little paperwork -- they'll handle the rest. Takes 10 days or so -- but if you're not "trading" -- who cares.

I'm a tech kinda guy.... and have made most all of my money investing in tech companies. However, this is also why it's so important to diversify - because as you and I know - tech can be hot or cold in a nanosecond. Techs are cyclical and subject to getting beat to the punch. Ask RIMM about that... right? :lol:

It's sad to find out how much money has been invested -- and after years -- there has been little to no return. TIME is the great healer of money and when a decade slips away - it's HUGE -- just huge. :cheers: