Investing without a Broker?

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The only other way you can invest is through a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP), in which you purchase stock directly from the company. However, not all companies offer DRIPs so I would recommend that you still recommend with a broker. If you don't want to deal with "too much broker," I recommend that you go with a discount broker. They don't give you advise. They just help you make transactions. I currently use Firstrade ( http://www.firstrade.com/ ). You should definitely check them out....Show more

Maybe you are just confused about what a broker is or different types of brokers. It sounds like you are referring to a full service broker where it costs you more to deal with a live person.

There are discount brokers, where you can make your own decisions and trade instantly online for a lower fee (or in rare cases no fee) on your own without having to talk to anybody.

Your only other choice is direct purchase from the stock agent for the company. That is fine for long term investments and dividend reinvestment, but you do have a choice exactly when the stock will be bought or sold or at what price (a couple of days to a week from when you place a buy/sell order)....Show more

I wouldn't recommend it unless your a seasoned trader. What I mean by that is your investing experience. Brokers are trained and licensed professionals who know the markets. Most people have no idea what the VIX is, what standard deviation is, or what the hell a resistance or support level is. These are the kinds of things that a broker can point out for you and assist you with.

I'm right with you though, I don't wanna pay a broker 25 bucks a trade!!!

Buy a few books about stocks, technical indicators, and economic reports which can all help your trading!!!

If your into day trading watch videos on youtube from SnP500Trader he's a genius.

Good luck!!!...Show more

If you are going to invest in publically traded securities in the United States you must use a registered broker/dealer.

You can invest on line without using a stock broker, but you must use the firm. It's brokerage firms that have underwritten the issuance of securities, they use their monies to provide markets for securities, and they pay for insurance and regulators to protect the investing public



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Invest in no load mutual funds. Sounds boring but picking stocks is more like gambling than investing. It can be exciting and get you highs and lows but most often you will not be successful.

Individuals tend to want to buy things that are hot and sell things that are not. e.g. when the real estate market was hot people were paying more than the asking price and buying two or three condo's to flip and make a quick buck. Now when the market is down buyers are hard to find.

You need to make investing boring - get your kicks somewhere else. Regular, automated investments in low cost index funds will probably make you more money over the long run than guessing at what stocks to buy and when to sell them.

That philosophy doesn't sell magazines, make people watch MSMBC, sell books or seminars or make money for borkers, banks or brokerage firms. It just has a better chance of making money for you. That is why it is rarely mentioned. It is not as exciting as "10 stocks you should buy now!!"

Good Luck

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