How to Select a Broker

Selecting a broker to handle your investments can be easy, or not. They all want your money, but you want to choose an online broker that you feel comfortable with.

Every year magazines like Kiplinger's, SmartMoney and Money Magazine rate the various online brokers for ease of use, cost and other criteria. But just because someone else says this is the way to go doesn't mean that broker will work for you. I suggest you do a little homework.

Where should you look? I would start with these online brokers:

• Fidelity Investments
• eTrade
• TD Ameritrade
• CharlesSchwab
• Scottrade

There are many more brokers than these. You can find them in magazines and you can do a search on the internet.

What should you look for? First, remember that the opening screen you see when you are first finding these brokers is their screen designed to get your business. This is most likely not the screen you will normally see...and you need to find their "regular" opening screen, usually by clicking on any area and then going back to their "home" page.

Second, remember that you are buying their services. They will be working for you, not the other way around. So you want their site to be easy for you. Selecting a broker to handle your investments can be easy, or not.

They all want your money, but you want to choose an online broker that you feel comfortable with. They will be working for you, not the other way around. So you want their site to be easy for you, to do the things you want to do. Also, depending upon how much money you have to invest and perhaps how frequently you trade, they may have an advance "trading site" that is even more comprehensive or easier to use - Fidelity calls theirs, "Fidelity Active Trade Pro."

What else should you check out?

• Initial $$$ dollars to open an account. This amount is usually different for a regular account (higher) versus a retirement account. For example, Fidelity wants $2,500 for all accounts but they will waive the minimum for a retirement account with regular automatic contributions. Scottrade only requires $500 to open an account.

• Fees - what do trades cost? This can be different for stocks, ETFS and mutual funds. Fees are only one item, one factor, in choosing a broker so don't decide on just this factor.

• Screens and Reports - in other words how easy is it to move around their website and what kinds of reports will you get. Plus can you easily find the reports and anything else you look for?

• Are the ETFs, mutual funds or stocks that you may be interested in available? Believe it or not they are not always available or some sites may charge more
than others for certain funds or ETFs.

• Send an email with a question. Send the same question to all the brokerages you are considering and see what kind of response you get: Is it speedy? Is it comprehensive? And how easy is it to actually talk with someone?

• Can you manage more than one account on just one screen? Remember I wrote earlier that you should have multiple savings accounts; well the same is true for investment accounts. You should have a retirement account, wealth building account and perhaps a vacation account. Plus, if you are married, can you manage your spouse's account from your screen without having to log off and then login to her account? This could be your question to write or call about.

• Do they keep records for you for tax purposes or do you need to keep and track everything?

• Mutual Funds - if you plan on investing in funds, what are their rules on round-trips and short-term trading fees? (another question to ask)

• How easy is it to get to the trading page?

• How easy is it to put "stops" on positions so you can minimize potential loses?

Remember, the brokers want your business. But also remember that it is your money and you want them to work for you your way. And by-the-way, good investment software is not dependent upon who you choose for a broker.

Author Raymond Dominick has been investing in the markets since his teenage years. He is the designer of Dynamic Investor Pro investment software for stocks, ETFs and mutual funds. An experienced business manager and journalist, he has been a registered investment advisor representative, also a professional photographer who loves escaping to the wonders of Glacier National Park in Montana. View his software at: http://www.dynamicinvestorpro.com

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Thinking About Making An Investment Africa

Africa is known as one of the continents of the world. It has a rich and diverse culture, being the second largest continent and also ranks second when it comes to population. The wildlife, as well, is something that Africans are very proud of. But in the business world, many people hesitate about making an investment Africa. An Africa investor may find the continent a highly unstable one. Many hesitate because even if Africa is rich in natural resources, it still remains as the poorest and most underdeveloped continent. This is one thing that many people in the business world want to change.

One could not help but wonder, is it really safe and practical to make an investment Africa? There are lots of things to consider if a person wants to be an Africa investor. Many researchers have said that Africa has a very promising economy, and there is an enormous potential. But why aren't there a lot of people taking their chances in investing? The answer is that people still cannot erase from their minds the status of the African continent in the past. As researchers assert, the countries in 1995 aren't the same countries in 2011. They all have progressed.

The economic potential of Africa is good, but many companies choose to turn a blind eye or opt to invest in other countries. Researchers continue to study about the economy of Africa, and they say that investment Africa is a sound investment. It also important for Africa to continue to strengthen and take care of any trade links that they have especially with Africa investor and foreign ones. In the past decade, Africa has made important progress, and even made some improvements with the business environment. And just in 2007, the People's Republic of China invested in Africa a total of $1 billion.

Africa, though in a bad status in the past, is now progressing. Despite the many problems it has encountered and is encountering now, the economic potential still exists. As Kofi Annan, the past Secretary-General of the United Nations, said in the past, one of the best kept secrets of the world is Africa's profitability. Many resources in the said continent still remain untapped. Investment Africa should one day be able to make use of these resources. Africa investor would make choices whether to invest in Africa or not. There are a lot of things waiting to be discovered in the mysterious continent called Africa.

Marl has helped a lot of people over the years with everything from investment Africa, to Africa investor, so stop by and let us know if you ever need anything.

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Smart Investment - How to Make One Today

Smart investments are what investors need to make when they want to see good returns of their hard earned money for investment. But how do you make a smart investment? What should you need to factor in order to succeed in your investment? Below are some hot tips in investing your money today:

First, you must have the right mindset when you start investing. Remember that you can't get rich overnight. It takes time before you can see the results of investing money. Take your time in investing.

Second, make sure that you have the knowledge before investing. You must know what you are investing. You can see information online, on TV or in books. Start investing with gaining enough information. For example, if you want to invest in mutual funds, start collecting data on mutual funds.

Third, do not let investment experts control what you do with your money. Though they are expert, do not let them thrust you into something that you don't feel like having. Bear in mind that these experts are not always right. The bottom-line is that you need to know what you need to know to succeed in investing.

Fourth, remember that investment entails risks along the way. Do not be fooled by words like 'do risk involved' or 'won't cost you a thing' because they are not always true, save for cases like savings account investment. The rule is that if you want money, you have to spend money. Remember that what you need to do is to spend your money that you and your loved ones are comfortable with. Do not invest money that you think will go to a trash bin.

Fifth, mutual funds are good way to start when you want to make smart investment today. However, you need to take some tips on how to proceed with this type of investment. You should not pay someone to recommend a mutual fund for you. Do the research and look for best mutual funds to take. Also, you need to understand what 'expense ratio' is all about.

Sixth, be your own investment adviser if you want to take charge of your money. You should learn what you can learn before you start putting your money in investment.

Now that you know these ways to have smart investment, it is time to invest your money profitably today!

Follow these simple steps and start making money with your smart investment.

Are you looking for a great finance blog for finance and investment tips? Visit Blog4finance.com and read at this informative money blog today!

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