Does anyone here use/recommend an online stock

[CindyH in NC]

purchasing/trading website? We are interested in entering the stock market both for ourselves and our two girls. But we have had two recommendations from friends and just from looking over the sites, I am still not sure which one will be the most user friendly - (definition beginners):). What do you think of E-Trade or Vanguard? Any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance, Cindy H. in NC

[percytruffle]

Dh uses Interactive Brokers. I'm clueless though, So I can't really tell you much about it other than to check it out and see if it would work for you. Investing is one of his "hobbies".

[mysticamethyst]

I use Ameritrade. Have only been trading for about a year but have never had a problem and the rates seem reasonable.

[Sunny]

We used this as a brokerage firm too, to trade individual stocks ( Ameritrade). They were simple to use, inexpensive as to cost.
We use Vanguard also, though, as a place to buy our retirement mutual funds. THey have a brokerage acct, but it is more costly per trade, adn that adds up.
After doing both, it is much easier to stick money in a Mutual fund and leave it, than it is to buy individual stocks. IT is also a bookkeeping hassle for tax purposes, JMHO.

[CindyH in NC]

I will check out these sites tonight.

Cindy H. in NC