ShareBuilder

[Jenna]

So, I bit the bullet and created a Share Builder Account. I sent in a $400 deposit, and opened a ROTH.

I've had a couple of different investment advisors, but feel they were only in it to make themselves money... off commissions and fees.

So, I'm going to try a self-directed ROTH.

[Mom23boys]

Good luck! I am interested how it goes. I have been interested in opening a Sharesbuilders account too for a ROTH.

[Jenna]

Thanks. Their fees look comparable or better than others.

I got tired of seeing what appeared to be little return on my investments.

[DJ1972]

I just finished listening to Suze Orman's book, the Young, Fabulous, and Broke...got it on cd from the library, and she is a huge fan of ROTH IRA's. Something I need to do some more research on, as I know very little about them.

[Jenna]

I just finished listening to Suze Orman's book, the Young, Fabulous, and Broke...got it on cd from the library, and she is a huge fan of ROTH IRA's. Something I need to do some more research on, as I know very little about them.

There are income restrictions upon opening a ROTH. You can contribute up to $4k this year (per person) in the ROTH. Any interest earned is tax free upon withdrawal, but you pay taxes upon any contributions the year you put it in the ROTH.

I love Fool.com

http://www.fool.com/ira/ira.htm

http://www.fool.com/personal-finance...ment-plan.aspx

http://www.fool.com/personal-finance...to-riches.aspx

[bumplett]

hmmm.... interesting! Thanks for the links too Jenna ~

[DJ1972]

Thanks for the links Jenna!

[Jenna]

*Update*

I decided to open a Vanguard account for the ROTH, and potentially use Sharebuilder to purchase individual stocks (ie non retirement investing.)

Vanguard comes highly recommended on Fool.com, and I used Morningstar to check out their different mutual funds.

I am going to include non-retirement investing in my goals -- even if it's just a few bucks every paycheck (which I'll save up til I have $400 or more to invest.)

Gah. All this "outgo" - not so much "ingo." And I'll somehow have to fit in savings for a house down payment fund (and eventually a newer car fund *knock on wood I still have 3-4 years with the paid off current vehicle.)

Guess I'll have to go big or go home!

[Telephus44]

I have a ROTH IRA that I opened with Vanguard when I graduated from college - I am really impressed with them. They have the lowest fees I can find, and just decided to waive fees if you go paperless - can't beat that!

I also have some non-retirement funds - right now just one DRIP plan for ExxonMobile - check out DRIPs (Divident Reinvestment Plans) on The Motley Fool, they do a great job of explaining them. The plan I'm in I can invest as little as $25/month, although I currently invest more than that. Most (but not all) companies offer them. Some have fees, some don't. I have also heard many wonderful things about Sharebuilder, although I don't have an account with them.

Congratulations on investing! Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who's not a pro/day traders/wall street guru but still invests.

[Jenna]

They have the lowest fees I can find, and just decided to waive fees if you go paperless - can't beat that!

I did sign up for this feature. woot woot.

I plan on investing in companies I'm familiar with, and hope to start making deposits, soon.

[elohimrules]

I love Sharebuilder. I have had an account for two years now and it feels so good to "do it yourself" sort of thing. I just invest in solid companies such as GE and WEN. WEN has had good returns as it has spun off Tim Hortons since I bought it and now I have two stocks for the price of one! It is fun to watch grow. I also have a Roth IRA which I think is a good choice.

[3wasntenough]

I use sharebuilders...I invest 40.00 a month to buy 2 different stocks...it's easy...and a great way to save!!!
I don't spend what I don't see!!!

[gentledenny]

I went to college about 9 years ago and took a class on investing or stocks or something that we had to fake buy 50,000 and see who made or lost money at the end of the quarter. I enjoyed it so much that i started buying stocks Drips. I joined a club better investing which allowed you a way to buy individual stocks and they charged ya 7 bucks. for the service. I have since learned that a few places such as computershare.com There you can buy stocks by investing as little as 100 dollar-250, 500, 1000 etc. or some allow monthly investments as little as 25 bucks with checking accounts. i have 15 different stocks plus i invest monthly in some T-rowe price mutual funds which require from 25-50 dollar monthly deposits if you dont have a few thousand to invest right off. Of course. DONT MISUNDERSTND ME. i do own 15 different stocks but i only own 1-2 shares on most of them. hehehe my get rich turtle plan. Oh yeah. the 50,000 dollars of fake money for stock in class. i beleive i finished with about 45,000 intact. DANG STOCK MARKET. I also owned wendys when it split and got the tim hortons (2 full shares)

[frugal-fannie]

I went to college about 9 years ago and took a class on investing or stocks or something that we had to fake buy 50,000 and see who made or lost money at the end of the quarter. I enjoyed it so much that i started buying stocks Drips. I joined a club better investing which allowed you a way to buy individual stocks and they charged ya 7 bucks. for the service. I have since learned that a few places such as computershare.com There you can buy stocks by investing as little as 100 dollar-250, 500, 1000 etc. or some allow monthly investments as little as 25 bucks with checking accounts. i have 15 different stocks plus i invest monthly in some T-rowe price mutual funds which require from 25-50 dollar monthly deposits if you dont have a few thousand to invest right off. Of course. DONT MISUNDERSTND ME. i do own 15 different stocks but i only own 1-2 shares on most of them. hehehe my get rich turtle plan. Oh yeah. the 50,000 dollars of fake money for stock in class. i beleive i finished with about 45,000 intact. DANG STOCK MARKET. I also owned wendys when it split and got the tim hortons (2 full shares)

How do you set up drips? Can you own the stocks in a plan or do you have to buy them from like onshare.com where they send you the certificate.

[erinny1983]

I love ShareBuilder, I've had my account for about 2 yrs now. (wish it was bigger) They were so easy to use and have so much great info.

Good Luck with yours!!