Investment Articles

Since the beginning of the year, a lot of investors have been asking themselves what are the best investments for 2011? It is such a delicate question, as 2010 was a very volatile year. A lot of investors who starting to pour their money into areas they thought would be strong, got hurt.

Before asking yourself what the Best Investments for 2011, you must sit down with yourself and work out what goals and desires you have. You must also do a bit or research to ensure you put the odds in your favour. Not doing do can have dire consequences.

If you cannot spend time to do some research, it is better to hire or outsource someone to do this for you. This will cost you some money, but it will save you time, and will only increase the chances of seeing handsome profits down the track.

So what are the best investments for 2011?

1) Invest in Gold & Silver

No matter what you think, gold and silver have been very popular investments. Although whenever the economy suffers, these commodities do extremely well. They always have. Normally they are extremely volatile in price, and it is not advisable to buy futures or paper contracts. However you can watch the spot price of these commodities online and buy physical gold and silver bullion. They have real value and you do not have to deal with leverage like you do on the futures exchange. A lot of investors have realised this is one of the best investments for 2011 and that is why we have seen prices skyrocket.

2) Invest in Mutual Funds

These are some of the best investments for 2011. With many people now scared about the stock market and trying to make money themselves. Mutual funds that have a good track record in the past are a good option. The best part about these companies is that you get to diversify your money in many investment vehicles. That way you are not putting all your eggs in one basket. It is a low risk, high reward way to invest, without doing the hard work yourself.

3) Invest in commercial and residential real estate

With the recent real estate collapse, it is no surprise that real estate investments will be one of the best investments for 2011. If you are a good negotiator you can get even better deals. This does require a little time and patience but the rewards are very good. With prices so low, and the market recovering it is now very easy to spot a bargain. Look to do a bit of research on evolving towns or those towns under massive development, close to schools and shopping centres. These are the are guaranteed to do well in the years to come, and are likely to be the best investments for 2011 and 2012.

Want a looking glass into the future? World Recognised for their past trend forecasts and accurate stock market calls, Forecast For Tomorrow provides regular updates to help you make BIG profits in any economic climate. Find out what are the best investments for 2011. Visit http://www.forecastfortomorrow.com

What most people think about when they hear the term high yield investments is a low-rated bond, known to most as a junk bond. Junk bonds are from companies that have to pay higher when they borrow money. Just like the average consumer that has financial troubles and pays a higher rate on a credit card, the same is true for companies with a bad credit report. When they issue a bond, the company is really applying for a loan with anyone that wants to purchase their bonds. The people that purchase low-rated, high yield bonds are risking their money in the hope of a better return. If the company is in dire financial straights, no matter how high the interest rate, the bonds simply won’t sell well.

The junk bond market can be quite lucrative if you’re educated in the ways of bonds. For instance, most people simply see bonds as a means of making interest. Stock market investors, in particular, find bonds quite boring especially if they love the thrill of the market fluctuations. These investors simply don’t know much about bonds, in particular, junk bonds. Many online investing sites often neglect information on bonds and focus strictly on equity products.

After September 11, 2001, the market crashed. Several industries felt harsh financial effects from the attack on 9/11 and one of them was the airline industry. United Airlines, already feeling financial pain, now had loss of revenue adding to the pinch when the government stopped flights. They were in a precarious position, similar to many other airlines. However, Frontier airline was a cash cow as well as some others.

Bonds go up and down in price depending on their financial rating, length of time to maturity and interest rate. At the time following 9/11/2001, not only did the stocks for major airlines drop, so did the bonds. In some cases, the bonds discounted as much as 50 percent for airlines. This means that if you bought a 50 percent discounted bond with an interest rate of 5 percent, you would receive a 10 percent return at every annual interest interval. If the price of the bond went up, you could also receive a capital gain by selling it. This made investing in high yield bonds from fiscally sound airlines an attractive investment.

As time passed, United did file chapter 11 and US Airways also does, but many of the lower priced bonds for airlines returned to the price adjusted for length of time and interest rate. People that knew the financials of the different airlines fared well, while people that risked their money on United or US Airways lost money. The key is looking at the financials of the company before you buy the bond. High yield returns are risky and even if they’re bonds, you can lose all your money or most of your money.

During good economic times, the price of high yield bonds increase. Bonds that provide a higher interest rate simply are more popular. Even if the company has a lower rating, during times of economic prosperity, most people feel the companies won’t fail.

During times when the economy drops in the cellar, it raises concern over credit ratings of companies. The high yield bonds discount deeply and are often a bargain for the seasoned investor. The person occasionally doing online investing, however, should not use these types of investments. There is a high risk to high yield investments. Just like any other investment vehicle, the higher the yield, the more risk you face.

Alex Roca is the creator, founder and editor of http://smart-personal-finance.com – a popular website that provides free education on personal finance. For more information on money management, investing, budgeting, saving, and retirement visit http://smart-personal-finance.com

Since the introduction of Tax Free Saving Account (TSFA) in 2009, it has become one of the most popular ways to invest for Canadians. Every year, Canadians are allowed to invest up to $5000 into their TSFA. Any capital gain and any form of income such dividend, trust distribution, interest are all tax free. By compounding the returns without taxation, it is a great way for Canadians to build wealth.

Naturally the question of “what to invest in tax free saving account” becomes a very popular topic. There are many articles and researches out there to explore that topic. This article, however, attempt to address what NOT to invest or hold inside a TSFA account.

The truth is the Tax Free Savings Account isn’t always tax free. It really depends on the holdings inside the account. The name “tax free” can be misleading. I found about this the hard way. A few months ago, I bought preferred shares in a major US bank with good dividends inside my TSFA account. I noticed the dividend I received was less than what I expected. After checking with my broker, I realized a 15% of the dividend was withhold from my account. Needless to say I was not a happy camper.

Recently, with the strengthen of the Canadian dollar vs the US dollar, many Canadians like myself are interested in buying and holding US dividend paying company stocks inside their TSFA. While it’s a good way to diversify one’s stock portfolio, there is tax implication on collecting US dividend income inside the TSFA.

15% withholding tax on US dividends

Under US and Canadian tax treaty, a 15% withholding tax on dividends is automatically deducted on Canadian TSFA accounts by the brokerage firm. Although Canadian investor can file a US tax return later on to claim some of the tax back, it is still not fully tax free, not to mention the opportunity cost to have those dividend reinvested in other investments.

RRSP and TSFA are taxed differently

On the other hand, there is no withholding tax on dividend income inside Canadian RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan). Even though TSFA and RRSP are both registered accounts, there are major difference in terms of tax treatment when holding US stocks and bonds. This is because under the tax treaty between US and Canada, only retirement accounts are exempt from the withholding tax. TSFA is not treated as a primary retirement investment vehicle.

Besides US withholding tax implications, there could be more tax consequences for holding other foreign stocks.

In summary, Canadian investors need to be careful on what to invest inside the TSFA. If one wants to keep TSFA truly tax free, it is best to keep things simple by not holding any foreign securities.

For more tips and guides for Canadian investors, visit http://www.CashflowForLife.ca

When investors research current annuities today, what they are likely to find is that there are a large number of optional features that are now available as additional features on the annuity product. These options, often referred to as riders, allow annuity holders to access some additional benefits that are not offered within the main annuity product.

These riders are typically offered on fixed and variable annuity products. Due to the fact that these investment vehicles now hold billions of dollars in retirement assets, the importance of asset preservation has become extremely important. And, this has subsequently led to the development of different types of both living and death benefit protection for annuity holders.

In fact, all of the riders that are offered on fixed and variable annuity rates contracts will fall into either one of two categories. First, living benefit riders will typically offer a guarantee for some amount of payout while the annuitant is still living. Some of the living benefit riders will guarantee the annuity holder’s principal. Others will offer guarantees on a specific rate of hypothetical growth – provided that certain specific conditions are met.

One example of a living benefit rider is the Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit, or GMWB. This benefit offers the compare annuity rates holder the guarantee of a return of principal through withdrawals of a certain fixed percentage of their principal during a fixed time period – until the amount of the annuity holder’s original investment has been withdrawn.

Another such example includes the Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit, or GMIB. In this case, when the annuity holder first purchases the annuity rates, the issuing insurance company will guarantee income through a fixed annual compounding rate. Following a period of vesting, if the annuity contract is annuitized by the investor, the guaranteed income base will be used to calculate the amount of minimum monthly payments. This occurs regardless of market performance.

Death benefit riders, on the other hand, protect against declines in annuity contract values due to market conditions for the annuity holder’s beneficiaries. In addition, some death benefit riders may only guarantee the initial amount of the annuity holder’s principal, while others may provide the investor’s beneficiaries with a death benefit that is equal to the highest recorded value of the annuity contract or with fixed annuities an attractive guaranteed rate of return.

Current annuities offer a wide variety of features that were not offered several years ago. Therefore, it is important for investors to truly understand how these riders work, as well as the additional costs that are involved with adding these benefits to the annuity contract.

Even in light of their additional cost, however, oftentimes these riders can be very beneficial to compare annuity rates investor.

Investing is such a complicated field that there are literally tens of thousands of books written on the subject. Investing can be quite difficult, depending on the strategy, though it and can also be simple and straightforward if done properly. One of the best pieces of investment advice ever given is to diversify your portfolio into several different investment vehicles. This can help you spread out the risk and achieve a steady return on your investment capital. This is the goal of most investors. This type of investing can be categorized broadly as value investing and with a diversified investment strategy that holds a goal of long term positive returns.

Value Investing
On the whole, value investing is generally defined as investing that focuses on buying investments that have good value. This is a fundamentally safe and secure type of investment strategy. The goal is for steady appreciation and consistent yields on capital invested. Value investing is a fundamental and lies at the base of a solid financial investment plan. Buying investments because they are a good value is a mark of a solid investment plan. If you buy companies because they are good value, then chances are you will be in a position to enjoy capital appreciation in the years to come.

Stock Market Investing
Stock market investing is one of the fundamentals of value investing. By diversifying investments into the stock market it is possible to spread out investment funds into a wide variety of different companies and their stocks. It is certainly very difficult to choose specific stocks that are going to go up in value immensely in the years to come. The Walmart-like stocks are few and far between and taking them at their outset is almost impossible. This certainly does not mean that you should not try. Buying fundamentally sound stock market investments can be a goal and ticket to a fruitful financial future ahead.

Penny Stock Investments
Penny stocks are those that bear their own name. These stocks are often valued very lowly and the costs are often quite low-often times ranging from a few pennies per share up to a couple dollars per share at the most. Some investors believe that there is great potential return in penny stock investments because you can buy for such a low cost a large amount of shares and if there is any appreciation in value this year value will likewise increase. An increase in the share value will yield an increase in the investment return as well.

Bonds Investing
Bonds are another core element of a diversified investment strategy. Bonds typically have slow and steady growth patterns and consistent yields year after year. This makes them the ideal investment for slow and steady capital appreciation. There are several different types of bonds available ranging from government-backed bonds to higher risk corporate bonds. Bonds remain one of the best ways of diversifying a portfolio with safe and secure investment returns. Talk with an investment adviser about the different kinds of bond ratings and how the different types of bonds will play an important part in your overall investment portfolio.

Mutual Funds Investing
Mutual funds are yet another way of diversifying investment risk and return. Some mutual funds specialize in high risk/high yield type investments, while others mirror segments of the stock market (as in Spider Funds, which buy the exact companies that appear on certain stock indices). Mutual funds are run by a board of directors and a management team in most cases. These individuals have the responsibility of making the investment choices for the entire fund.

Mutual funds are traditionally one of the most popular investments options and routes to take. Mutual funds are easier to become involved with than almost any other investment. They are often times the starting place for investors who are looking to have the potential for return while also curving the risks in spreading out the potential downside. One of the challenges with mutual funds, however, is the fact that there are so many and they can be difficult to choose between them. Out of thousands of different mutual funds, finding one that meets your investment requirements can be tricky. It also should be noted that just because a mutual fund has done well in the past that does not mean that it will continue to do well in the future. Very few mutual funds maintain a steady track record over time.

Commodities Investing
Commodities are another option for a diversified investment portfolio. Commodities represent certain items like corn, oil, gold, silver, and other such natural items classified as commodities. Commodities can often be used as a ‘hedge’ investment and have a safe and secure track record. Investing in commodities should be done with the help of an experienced investment adviser only or with much experience under your belt. They are not typical investments and should not be viewed as ones that are as easy to invest in as bonds or mutual funds. Typically, commodities investments can be used as a counter-trend type of investment, or in other words, as a protection against loss when other types of investments seem to be falling. Commodities will typically hold their value contrary to the stock market as a whole.

All of these different types of investment options should be discussed with a qualified investment adviser or broker. To venture into these investments on your own can be dangerous. It should be mentioned that with any investment there is the potential for loss. Anytime you have the potential for substantial gain, likewise you have the potential for substantial loss. Some of these investments are more secure than others. You should discuss your options and your long-term strategy with your investment adviser to determine the best plan moving forward. You’ll want to create a diversified plan that creates a steady return while minimizing risks.

For more great tips and expert advice on investing for a bright and secure future, please visit us at http://www.elementaryinvesting.com

For anybody who is motivated to get your investments started, you can get yourself started immediately without having a lot of know-how about trading stocks. Start by being a conservative investor which has a low risk tolerance. This will likely provide you with a technique to making your hard earned cash increase while you learn more about investing.

Get started with an interest bearing savings account. It’s possible you’ll already have one. If you don’t, you ought to. A savings account can be opened up with the exact same financial institution that you do your checking from – or at every other financial institution. A savings account should pay 2 – 4% on the funds that you’ve got within the account.

It’s not a lot of money – if you do not have a million dollars in that account – but it’s a start, in fact it is money making money.

Next, put money into money market funds. This may often be done through your bank. These funds have higher interest payouts than standard savings accounts, but they work much the same way. These are short-term investments, which means your funds won’t be tied up for a long period of time – but again, it is money making money.

Certificates of Deposit are also good investments without having risk. The interest rates on CD’s are normally greater than those of savings accounts or Money Market Funds.

You can select the duration of your investment, and interest is paid regularly until the CD reaches maturation. CD’s can be purchased at your bank, and your bank will guarantee them against loss. When the CD gets to maturity, you receive your original investment, as well as the interest that the CD has earned.

In case you are in the beginning stages, one or most of these three kinds of investments is the best place to begin. Again, this tends to allow your money get started on making money for you while you find out more about investing in other areas.

It’s easy to be seduced by the big profits that can result from considerably more high risk varieties of investing such as day trading. Bare in mind that risk is normally proportional to return. A beginning investor which has a small amount of capital should not contemplate day trading.

Begin small with conservative investment vehicles and continue to learn and study. Try different things and think about paper trading to acquire expertise and get your feet wet.

Investment advisors should be approached very carefully. Regrettably the typical advice to get recommendations is not completely foolproof as many of the recent investment scams have shown. Always temper the decision with sound judgment and the old adage that if it looks too good to be true.

When you are ready to learn about day trading software, or just want to explore daytrading software options there is information at http://www.daytrading.nu

There’s plenty of information available on the internet about investing in hard money loans, so it’s generally safe to assume that most investors have heard of this popular strategy. It goes by a lot of different names, including: Trust Deed Investing, Being the Bank, Private Lending, Secured Lending and many others. Unfortunately, a lot of the details and even some of the basic philosophies that make this investing strategy so powerful in today’s marketplace tend to get lost behind the message that these investments generally feature high yields (8 – 15% depending on the circumstances). Nobody’s going to complain about the possibility of earning these types of returns, but is that really why investing in hard money loans is a good decision? After all, junk bonds and penny stocks promote the potential for high yields too, but smart investors aren’t scrambling to scoop those up. So, it must be something else that makes investing in hard money loans attractive. Let’s examine a few of the reasons why investors are loving this popular investment vehicle:

Wise investors always have a Plan B

1. Security
The security that hard money loan investments offer is by far their most important feature. Security means that your investment is backed by, supported by, linked to or kept safe by a piece of valuable collateral. It’s often helpful to think of investing in a secured loan as “having a Plan B.” When you make a loan to a borrower, your investment is really a bet that your borrower is going to make monthly payments and then eventually return your principal. You’re investing in a contract – an agreement to receive a specified return for the right to use your money for a period of time. The real estate that the loan is secured by is your Plan B. Should your borrower not abide by the contract that you’ve invested in, you have another means of recovering your investment. Namely, you have the right to liquidate their asset(s) to pay yourself back. There are very few investments available of any kind that offer this type of investment structure. The ability to protect yourself is by far the most important aspect of any hard money loan investment.

2. Control
When you buy a share of stock you don’t get control of a company. You bought the right to stand back and watch someone else make or lose you money. When you buy a corporate bond you buy the right to collect cash flows based on terms that someone else has set. When you invest in hard money loans you call the shots and make the rules. If borrowers don’t want to play by your rules then you don’t have to lend them any money – plain and simple. You have the opportunity to assess the situation, create loan terms that mitigate your risk, and obligate your borrower to meet certain requirements that you dictate. If they don’t, you generally have the right to seek recourse.

3. Income
Investing in hard money loans produces regular income. In a time when cash flow is tight and many investors are looking for a regular paycheck to supplement other lost income, secured lending provides an excellent solution. If hard money loans are structured properly, they can provide a safe, consistent, monthly income to their investors for years.

4. Attainability
For most investors, shelling out large chunks of cash to buy foreclosure properties or to invest in real estate just isn’t a good fit. It requires larger amounts of cash and carries considerably more risk and responsibility. Investing in hard money loans is an attainable solution for almost everyone that has a little bit of cash to invest. There is a multitude of borrowers in the marketplace looking for capital and absolutely no shortage of demand for loans.

These are really just some of the reasons why investing in hard money loans is beneficial for investors today, but they’re also some of the most important. Safety, security and consistent income are all rolled into this single investment vehicle, and investors have definitely taken notice.

Chris Gleason is the Managing Director of MMG Capital, a nationwide hard money lender and provider of Secured Investment Opportunities. MMG Capital and its partners have over 50 years of combined real estate, finance, and lending experience and handle all of their transactions with utmost integrity and complete transparency. More information about MMG Capital Investments can be found on our website: http://www.mmginvestors.com. Investors can request a free copy of our Guide to Trust Deed Investing, as well as an Investor Kit that includes information on our company and what we do for our clients.
To follow MMG Capital, join us on the MMG Capital Blog: http://mmgcapital.wordpress.com

Franchise

A franchise is an opportunity to use another firm’s successful business model. A franchise is established after developing a proven track record of increased revenue, brand awareness, and customer retention.

An investment opportunity in a franchise is low risk and has high return of return on your investment. It is one of the very investment vehicles where you are almost guaranteed not to lose any of your investment.

A franchise will provide you with the financial independence and freedom you have been searching for years. It is your gateway to a better future and we are here to help you along in this journey.

What Type of Franchise

The type of franchise to invest in is very important. The following are a few key decisions you must make before you decide on a franchise:

Longevity: How long the franchise has been in business? Is it is a fairly new franchise the risk of failure increase
Revenue: How much revenue is the franchise earning year after year? Is there a downward trend or upward? Is there potential for increased revenue in the future?
Autonomy: How much independence are you given as a franchise owner? You have to follow corporate rules and regulations for operating a franchise. The lesser the restrictions the better it is for you.
Global Presence: Is the franchise going to be a global presence in the future? Our economic is directly connected to the global market. A franchise that will have a global presence is important because it shows the stability and growth of the franchise.
Reputation: What kind of reputation has the franchise established for itself? A franchise with a negative reputation for advertising products, treatment of employees, and lack of commitment to supporting communities will have increased risk for your investment. Choose a franchise with an excellent reputation to reduce the risk.

You must answer these questions before you make any decisions and we are here to guide you along the way.

Franchise Choices

There are many options available to you in Canada when deciding to choose a franchise. A Canadian icon that we are reminded of everyday and visit every day is Tim Hortons. The coffee of Tim Hortons is embedded in our Canadian culture.

This is a very low risk with high returns.

Subway is also another great franchise for investment. It provides a product that is high demand and will continue to be high demand in the future. This is because of the growing trends of consumers switching to healthy diet habits.

If you want to be part of the growing trend of going healthy, then this investment will be perfect for your portfolio.

Conclusion

Becoming financially independent and securing the financial future of your family is very important. Start investing in low risk and high return investments such as a franchise.

It can be costly at times to start in such an investment but partnership will allow you to generate sufficient funds needed.

Start developing a strategy towards your financial freedom.

Massi Karimi
Business Development & Marketing
http://www.blackthorninvestments.com

Introduction

Are you confused about your investment options? Is everyone giving you just their opinions and not facts? Do you want to base your investment decision on an opinion or fact?

As a customer you must be informed about your investment decisions. Such decisions not only affect you today, but will affect your future greatly.

It is time you received full and complete information regarding two very significant investment option: commercial real estate investment and investment in stock.

Commercial Real Estate Investment

Do you want to learn about commercial real estate investment? Have you been informed by your financial advisor about this incredible investment?

Financial advisors do not like to give away secrets. They want to invest in complicated stocks and charge you high fees in return. You have no option but to blindly trust them

Commercial real estate investment is a great investment for all individuals. It is a highly profitable investment that has low risk.

The benefits of commercial real estate investment are plenty:

This is an absolutely great investment for individuals that have low risk tolerance. If you are close to retirement and you have extra cash this would be the best investment for you.
You will receive exceptionally high rate of return compared to other investments.
You will receive great tax write-offs, such as depreciation, and other expenses. This will lower your taxes payable.
It is one of very few investment vehicles that appreciate with time. The appreciation will bring you a new source of income when you are ready to sell your investment.

Investment in Stock

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.

When you embark on a journey for such investment you must make one accurate decision after another. A wrong decision may have you lose all your investment. The return on such investment is great but the fees you are being charged are even greater.

The following is a list of why you should not invest in stocks:

Stocks are very volatile. The price of a stock can change in a matter of seconds and have long-lasting impact on your future for decades.
Making accurate decision becomes very difficult with stocks. Are you investing because you believe in the company? Or you think it will give you great dividends? It is like shooting in the dark and hoping to hit the bull’s eye.
Bankruptcy is another important factor. When the company you have invested in goes bankrupt so does your stock value. Can you afford that?

Conclusion

If you like low risk high return then investment in commercial real estate is your best option. Investment in stock is risky given the current economic trends.

Start getting more informed and knowledgeable about your investment decisions. Taking a proactive approach today will give you great dividends in the future.

Massi Karimi
Business Development & Marketing
http://www.blackthorninvestments.com

ETF’s (exchange traded funds) are the fastest growing investment vehicle right now. And there a good reasons for this. Whether you are investing through your Roth-Ira or playing the stock market with a brokerage account, you might want to consider investing in ETFs. ETFs are one of four main ways to invest in stocks, the other three are individual stocks, mutual funds and index funds. Let’s dive into the details.

So what is an ETF anyway?

ETFs are extremely similar to mutual funds. The most notable similarity between ETFs and mutual funds is that both are made up of numerous market stocks. Conventional mutual funds do not trade throughout the day, whereas ETFs do. Why would you care? Well, it gives you an added degree of flexibility to trade throughout the day. With a mutual fund, you can only make a move at the end of the closing day. With an ETF, you can trade at any time you choose while the market is open.

On fees for ETFs…

Although ETFs charge a management fee, fees for ETFs are significantly lower than mutual funds or even index funds. Look into mutual funds and you’ll start to realize the exorbitantly high fees. With an ETF, it’s typical to only pay between .1% and .7% of your total assets. This is music to an investor’s ears if he/she is “cost conscious.” Personally, I am fundamentally opposed to paying fees higher than .5%. I mean, think about it, you wouldn’t want to throw money down the drain would you? Over the long haul, fees can nickel and dime you, and eventually take a significant portion of your retirement portfolio. ETF’s are also more tax efficient than mutual/index funds.

Greater investing flexibility.

Unlike most index funds or even mutual funds, ETFs do not require an initial investment. This is a selling point, especially for young investors. I, for one remember being in college and wanting to invest and realizing that most investment choices required an initial amount. As an example, the index funds that I hold within my Roth-Ira require an initial investment of $3,000. As a poor college student, it’s hard to meet this initial requirement. That’s where ETFs come in.

Diversify, diversify, did I mention diversify?

You can pick up a couple ETFs and cover all your market segments. You can protect yourself as well as make some solid gains in the market. For example, you can split $1,000 across large cap stocks, small caps, emerging markets, REITs and bonds. You pay a nominal fee for this exposure and flexibility. Unlike a mutual fund, you can control overlap within your ETF choices.

So, where can I buy ETFs?

Pretty much anywhere really. Whether it’s a Roth-Ira, 401k, individual broker account, it’s up to you. I recommend Vanguard for starting out with your ETF investment purchases. Vanguard offers unlimited free trades for ETFs, so this is a no-brainer. Sharebuilder, TDAmeritrade, and TradeKing are also great choices. Although ETFs are a great investment choice, make sure to do your own research. Go with reputable funds with long standing performance and low fees.

http://www.freemoneywisdom.com