Scottrade is 7 bucks per trade, and comes with very good customer service and branches all over the country. There are some online brokers who offer free trades. In fact, there is no such a thing as "free". They all have caveats (e.g. minimum 25,000 balance). But having said that, if you are willing to meet the minimum balance, then they could your best bet. You could be trading for free. There are some brokers (e.g. Ameritrade) who offer teaser rates (e.g. 1 month free, first 100 trades free, etc) but do not offer competitive trading rates. I would not be attracted with those freebies because finally I would end up paying even more. Many online brokers charge account transfer fee of upto $250 if you want to transfer to some other brokers. So, you also do not want to constantly open and close your accounts. One of the cheapest brokers I have seen is sogotrade.com. Its website is not bad at all, offers $3/trade, also gives some promotional freebies. I see two choices for you - scottrade or sogotrade.

gajjab · Mar 25, 2009 12:17 PM

Good to have few Nepalese friends are in trading business..I am newbie and do not have much to share,but I seriously think,this is a right time for investment for following reasons 1)  For last three weeks,Stock is trying to take momentum for upward trend (Bottom is forming now) 2)  The reason for US financial Crisis is mortgage mess..Some good housing data statrted to come which is positive sign of economic recovery 3) US GDP is mostly contributed by spending and Fed willl pouring 1.5 trillion dollar into economy which will help loosen credit crisis ultimately help GDP by consumer spending 4) Normally,Stock market shows +ve sign 6/9 months before economic revival..we are already in 15 months recession and will not last more than a year from now I believe.. As i said earlier,I am novice and please do not take it as recommendation to jump into stock market.. Thanks  

database · Mar 25, 2009 12:26 PM

Thankx fortunefaded........

score · Mar 25, 2009 1:17 PM

I thought it was right time to buy stocks this time and I invested around 3000$, which I had extra money. I don’t suggest you guys to sell other properties or borrow money to buy stocks. If you have extra money it won’t hurt to spend around 5000 or less.  I purchased Citi, Aig, Fannie May, GE, Ford, and some other less than 1$ stocks. Their stocks were up to 70$ within 3 years and right now just a buck or so. It’s a gamble but lot better than playing at casinos or buying scratch offs. My suggestion is to you guy is look for the company’s stock within 3 years if any stock was more than 35$ or so and right now 2$ or less jut buy it and forget about it for 1-2 years.

bisal · Mar 25, 2009 1:33 PM

Bisal., Which Website do u use for buying stocks ? Any idea about Sogotrade.com ? how good is sogotrade ? It looks cheap , only $3 to buy stocks. Thanks. Last edited: 25-Mar-09 02:02 PM Last edited: 25-Mar-09 02:03 PM Last edited: 25-Mar-09 02:05 PM

purana kagaz · Mar 25, 2009 2:02 PM

Get out from Citi, AIG , FRE, FNM ,GE, GM, F........if anyone wants to make just sort these......

inpeace · Mar 25, 2009 2:02 PM