stock market?

Check out this Web site on Direct Investment Plans where you can buy shares directly from companies:

(http://www.fool.com/school/drips.htm

Usually no fees and you can buy one share at a time. I'd go with stocks. It takes more research and homework, but the payoff is much better.

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Suppose I went to the bank to borrow some money, using my stock as collateral on the loan. Suppose you offered to pay off the loan--if I sign over the stock to you. I just sold it, without a broker.

Considering the well-established mechanism to buy and sell stocks (I've had stocks trade before my page would change from the order being placed to the account summary, which was pretty darned fast in my book), it is hard to imagine a better way to buy stock--better than through a broker. Now that means the real question, and it is an important and legitimate question, is there a better broker? I pay $7 a trade, a little more when doing stuff with the penny stocks, under a dollar, at Scottrade. Sharebuilder says they do $4 trades if you are on their monthly investment plan. Trade King is sort of between the two, but I don't have direct experience with them.

Buying stock is a legal change of ownership transaction between a company and a buyer.

If you can find a company that will sell you some stock directly, you would still have to go through a financial firm that companies hire to conduct their financial affairs. These firms keep track of who owns the stock shares and disbursements, if dividends are paid.

Stock certificates are negotiable instruments, therefore you may be able to buy some at an estate sale or such,,,but you better check the value first & make sure it's not a forgery.