Insurance and Credit

It is so hard top think of the future, and this is doubly so when you are constantly reminded of the obligations brought upon by the spending in your past. Why will you think of putting more money into savings when you are still worrying about your student loan? How can you think about the far-off retirement years if you have to worry about mortgages today?

In this time and year, even the current events present problems that will make you think twice before investing for the future. What if the total amount you have from ten years of frugality devalues by more than 50% in the stocks in less than a month? With the recession in full swing, this is unfortunately a very likely scenario.

It is thus very tempting to live for the moment, rather than think ahead and invest. It’s easier to think of this month’s bills, or even this year’s financial situation, instead of worry about what may happen in the years or even decades to come. I don’t blame them for thinking this way, but I also think that this is not the most responsible way of thinking.

You see, one of the fundamental truths of the human condition is the fact that everyone gets old sometime. And when your body has aged and has become weaker than it used to be, you just can’t work as efficiently as you did before. By then, the best course of action would be to rely on your investments.

Even that will be denied from you, however, if all your money has been stored in savings accounts with almost non-existent interest rates. Investing, then, can be summed up as the measure that you take for the inevitable rainy day. It may seem far away right now, but that doesn’t mean that it does not matter. So save up, invest, and be prepared. Who knows? If you do it really well, you may capable of retiring earlier than expected.

There are tons of stock brokers on the market but who’s the best? Here’s a summary of the more popular options and what I think of them.

Etrade is one of the earlier players in the discount brokerage and practically invented online brokerages. The user interface is amazing and the commissions are on the higher side in this day and age.

I don’t really like TD Ameritrade because it’s user interface is really bad. However, the commercials obviously is working because many people use them to trade stocks. The one price trading fee makes things less confusing though which is welcomed when everyone else has a ton of different pricing structure.

Charles Schwab is a full fledge solution like Etrade (they offer a bank, client services as well as credit cards along with their trading platform). Ever since Etrade went into trouble with its mortgage business, Charles Schwab have been on fire, taking market share and everything else.

TradeKing is the stock broker that I use after years with Etrade. While I’ve made a lot of money with Etrade, I just don’t want any problems with it going bankrupt. TradeKing also offers commissions at half the cost of Etrade.

Zecco used to offer everyone free stock trades but if you don’t have $25,000 or trade 25 or more times a month, you need to pay $4.50 per trade. Options are $0.50 per contract which is a good price though, and it also has Zecco Forex where you can trade currencies.

Sogotrade is a relatively new player and it plays the angle of cheap trades. With $3 per trade, it’s hard to beat unless everything is just free. Sogotrade also ensures trading accounts for up to $5 million.

Wells Fargo offers a trading platform in its WellsTrade as well. It’s free for people with over $25,000 of combined assets with them so it’s worth a look (if you have the money). My personal experience is that the platform is lacking but for retirement accounts and/or investors who don’t trade often, free trades are a good alternative.

Bank of America came to the self trading platform a few years ago when it offered free stock trades for its clients who have more than $25,000 in assets with them (it could be savings, checking among others). A few years later, you don’t hear much about them but I’m sure some of their customers are using them since it’s free.

OptionsXpress is known for its options trade. Instead of charging you per option like most firms, this company has a set pricing. They also claim to have no hidden fees so it might be a good option (no pun intended).

Many ordinary people want to try day trading from the comfort of their homes. Do you know this fact that most fail. No more than 10% succeed at day trading in the long term. Are you interested in day trading? Than read on what it takes to be a good day trader.

Day trading is not a hobby. Day trading is a job. Dont forget day trading can be stressful.

So what it takes to be successful at day trading. Day trading is like owning a small business. You are the boss and you call the shots. Take it like this.

Successes and failures in day trading are due to you. You need to understand this. You cant blame the markets. If you are an independent personality who likes to control destiny than day trading is for you.

All you need is a computer, a good internet connection and an account with a brokerage firm. Day traders use software to develop and refine their trading strategies. So, if you are comfortable with technology, day trading is for you.

Good day traders have always been fascinated with the financial markets and how they move. Financial markets are amazing. If you have been enjoying watching CNBC for years than day trading is for you.

But, if you have never opened a brokerage account, never purchased stocks or invested in mutual funds than day trading is not for you. You do need prior investing experience to succeed with day trading.

Day trading has a potential for loss. If you understand trading systems, strategies and money management principles than day trading is for you.

If you are decisive, persistent and can afford to commit to your trading than day trading is for you. Day traders are usually strong personalities.

Day trading is sometimes stressful. It needs a good support system in order to maintain emotional stability when markets become jittery with news events that no one can foresee beforehand. Markets are ruthless. You need to be psychologically strong to be a successful day trader. Forex trading is best for day traders.