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DIY Investing Company Comparisons

This is a short list of some of the companies that allow you to invest in multiple types of accounts and a comparison of them: Company Name Annual Cost Stock Trading Fee Mutual Funds Trading Current Special Features Opening Requirement1 TD Ameritrade 0 $6.95 No-Transaction-Fee (NTF): No commx No-Load: $49.99 Load: No commission Free trades for 60 days with $3000 initial Real-Time Streaming Recommended $3000 but not required. Fidelity 0 $7.95 $0 for Fidelity funds & hundreds of other funds with NTF Others: $49.95 $2,500 Vanguard $20 waived if signed up for e-delivery First 25: $7 After 25: $20 $0 for Vanguard funds and hundreds of other funds with NTF Standard: $35 Vanguard avg expense: 0.19%. Industry avg expense: 1.03% Vanguard funds generally have $1000 or $3000 initial buy in E*Trade $0 $9.99 2500+ funds with no transaction fees Standard: ? Free trades for 60 days with $10,000 initial investment -$25 fee on retirement withdrawals if under 59.5 -Real-Time Streami...

Researching a Stock through Yahoo Finances

I Love Apple!  So should I invest in it..... Stocks are risky.  I always encourage people to start with mutual funds.  However, stocks don't need to be avoided as with most things higher risk you have the potential for a higher return...or higher loss. What I like to look for that you can find for free on Yahoo Finances. So let's look at Apple: Current Price:  $120 (1/21/17) 1 yr Target estimate:  $133  (up 10.8%) Insider Transactions: are the heavy hitters buying or selling?  If so, what is the price they took action at compared to current price? Sells range from $107-117 per share Buys range $122-124 however processed in 2015 Keep in mind that many of the key players get stock as part of their pay so some sales could be automatic to adjust their personal portfolio 52 wk range: $89.47-$120.50 Trends  Short-term:4-5 dips in the past year. Small was 5% drop, large 20% drop in April/May. Showing on the rise.  Long-term: 10yr...

Types of Accounts: Roth, IRA, savings etc

The two main questions will be how long and how much?  Also depending on how open you want to be I recommend being out of debt or close (not counting your house). Best financial advise is when you have help looking at the full picture.  Debt, income, retirement funds and goals. Budgeting will help you invest more.   INVESTMENT CHOICES: (general info skip if you understand them already)      ROTHS  are ideal. Dave Ramsey highly recommends them.  However how long you plan to hold comes into effect. ROTH rules to know: Contributions: Tax free in /tax free out - An investor can take out the exact amount of his or her Roth IRA contributions at any time, for any reason without having to pay any tax or penalty.  Earnings are different! Earnings:  ideally need to stay in for five years.  If needed before 5 years paying for college or first home purchase.  No penalty but would be subject to normal tax bracket. If needed ...

DEBT, Debt, debt...debt free

What stage are you in? DEBT!       - I need help. Multiple sources. More debt than paycheck Debt!         -   student loans? oh I have to pay those. New car? debt           -  Only the mortgage. Nothing crazy.  debt free   -  FREEDOM! I love helping people get out of debt and make smart financial decisions.  I've been listening to Dave Ramsey while working and have been inspired by those sharing their debt story and want to share our story. The Stanton Debt Story. Me: College Debt:  $17,000 with interest. First Salary out of college:  $28,000. Annual bonus maybe $2k.  Part-time job: $5000 Debt paid off in 1 year!!!!!!!!!!!!!          As a result, saved up and bought 5 year old car in 2009. I started a Roth account while contributing to my 401k at work.  Also, I was able to save up and bought a house with 18% down-paymen...