Do I need a brokerage?
While you don't need a broker to buy stocks, you'll need to work with a brokerage firm. Some brokerages will carry out trades on your behalf while others offer an automated robo-advisor.
You don't need to work with a stockbroker to buy stocks. Online brokerages can do that for you. Online brokerages generally charge no fee for selling and buying stocks. Fee schedules may apply for options contracts and futures.
A brokerage account is a key part of your financial plan, as investing in markets is one of the best ways to achieve long-term growth. It's important that you work with a company or person you can trust, because it's your money and you are investing in your future.
Whether to invest in stocks yourself or use a broker depends on your comfort level and knowledge. If you're new to investing or prefer guidance, using a broker can be helpful. If you enjoy hands-on control and have the time to research and manage your investments, doing it yourself is an option.
If the value of your investments drops too far, you might struggle to repay the money you owe the brokerage. Should your account be sent to collections, it could damage your credit score. You can avoid this risk by opening a cash account, which doesn't involve borrowing money.
Bottom Line. Having an investment broker is a crucial part of investing. You'll need one to make your trades within the stock market. If you're new to investing, you might want to start with a full-service broker who can more directly manage your investments.
A broker is a person or company authorized to buy and sell stocks or other investments. If you want to buy stocks, you will almost always need a broker — essentially, a middleman — to place those orders on your behalf.
brokerage account, the biggest disadvantage is that a brokerage account is not tax-advantaged. Since it's a taxable account, you'll have to pay taxes on earnings in your account, including capital gains and dividends. Capital gains taxes kick in when you sell investments at a profit.
“Ideally, you'll invest somewhere around 15%–25% of your post-tax income,” says Mark Henry, founder and CEO at Alloy Wealth Management. “If you need to start smaller and work your way up to that goal, that's fine.
While you don't need much these days to start investing, the key is that you regularly contribute beyond your initial deposit so that you have more money to grow over time. But just how much of your income should go toward investing? The sweet spot, according to experts, seems to be 15% of your pretax income.
Can you buy stocks without a brokerage?
You can invest in individual stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, IRAs and more—and stockbrokers are known for providing personalized investment advice and portfolio management services. But it's also possible to buy stocks without a brokerage account. Investing in a 401(k) is a good example of this.
While bank balances are insured by the FDIC, investments in a brokerage account are covered by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). It protects investors in the unlikely event that their brokerage firm fails. However, certain rules and conditions apply—and investment earnings are not insured.
The Fidelity Account. This full-featured, low-cost brokerage account can meet your needs as you grow as an investor.
There's usually no minimum amount of money needed to open a self-directed brokerage account. Some billionaires may use this account because they enjoy researching companies and making stock picks, maintaining investment privacy, managing their own risks, and the low fees that are associated with these accounts.
Saving for retirement with an IRA, 401(k) or another employer-sponsored plan typically should take priority over investing in a brokerage account. The earlier a person starts saving for retirement the longer their money has to harness the power of compound interest and grow.
| Broker | Best for | Account minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Robinhood Gold | high APY on uninvested cash | $0 |
| TradeStation | Active traders | $0 |
| J.P. Morgan Self Directed Investing | Beginners | $0 |
| Public | Options rebates | $0 |
Why Trusting Your Broker May Not Always Be the Best Decision. Many people turn to brokers to help manage their portfolios. However, while brokers are experts in their field, they also have their own agendas. They may be incentivized to push certain investments or products that may not align with your best interests.
Full-Service Broker Fees
At a full-service broker, you pay a premium for research, education, and advice. But it's important to remember that full-service brokers are also salespeople. The average fee per transaction at a full-service broker is $150.
- Interactive Brokers: Best Online Broker for Traders.
- TD Ameritrade: Best Online Broker for Beginners and Best for Mobile App Users.
- Fidelity Investments: Best Online Broker for Everyday Investors.
- Charles Schwab: Best Online Broker for Customer Service.
A broker is a person that facilitates transactions between traders, sellers, or buyers. Think of a broker as a middleman who ensures transactions can run smoothly and that each party has the necessary information. Brokers exist in many industries, including insurance, real estate, finance, and trade.
How much money is too much for a brokerage account?
Since you can expect a good return over time if you make informed choices, you can't really have too much money in your brokerage account. After all, you want as much money as possible earning the highest possible returns. This is different from, say, keeping your money in a high-yield savings account.
Brokerage accounts are taxable, but provide much greater liquidity and investment flexibility. 401(k) accounts offer significant tax advantages at the cost of tying up funds until retirement. Both types of accounts can be useful for helping you reach your ultimate financial goals, retirement or otherwise.
Reduction of Brokerage Fees to Zero
Investors can reduce account maintenance fees by comparing brokers, their provided services, and their fees. Buying no-load mutual funds or fee-free investments can help avoid per-trade fees.
Calculate the Investment Needed: To earn $1,000 per month, or $12,000 per year, at a 3% yield, you'd need to invest a total of about $400,000.
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals. Let's take a closer look at each category.
