| The stock market is one of the best ways to make | | | | consider a discount brokerage. These guys don't |
| money. There are many strategies. You could focus | | | | offer much advice. But their trades are quite cheap. |
| on stable, "blue chip" companies and grow your | | | | On the other hand, if you are very new to the scene |
| money over time. Or you could buy into hot initial | | | | you might want to go with a "full service" broker. |
| public offerings. Those invested Google early on have | | | | They are significantly more expensive. But it might |
| made a fortune. | | | | save you money in the end if your broker is good |
| Many people don't even know where to start. One | | | | and you avoid making serious mistakes. |
| of the first things you need to do is decide what | | | | The stock broker market is extremely competitive. |
| broker to use. A simple way to think of a stock | | | | This is because customers tend to be long term and |
| broker is like a supermarket. It is the place where | | | | thus profitable. Switching brokers is a pain and so |
| you will be buying and selling shares. There are cheap | | | | clients tend to stick around. Because of this, firms |
| and expensive supermarkets. Likewise, brokers vary | | | | offer many incentives for people to jump ship to |
| widely in price and level of service. | | | | new firms. Be on the look out for these. Many make |
| If you don't think you'll be holding most of your | | | | very generous offers, such as 20 free trades when |
| stocks for over a year you should probably seriously | | | | you sign up. |