OK, so I've decided that it's time to get some of our money out of the bank and into investments. We are debt-free and have about $5,000 to invest. I'm thinking about Exchange Traded Index Funds for a medium-long term investment, and don't plan to do a lot of trading. I just want to choose a handful of ETFs, get in, and stay in for 5-10 years, possibly more.
I've looked at sharebuilder.com, Ameritrade, and the others advertised on fool.com, but I feel like I'm missing something. I guess I need a brokerage account to buy ETFs, but I feel like it's an extra step that muddles the process. I also looked at the ishares website -- can you buy directly from them?
I feel like I have a handle on how to research and choose the stocks and funds themselves, but the process of buying them is confusing me to no end.
Help!
I've looked at sharebuilder.com, Ameritrade, and the others advertised on fool.com, but I feel like I'm missing something. I guess I need a brokerage account to buy ETFs, but I feel like it's an extra step that muddles the process. I also looked at the ishares website -- can you buy directly from them?
I feel like I have a handle on how to research and choose the stocks and funds themselves, but the process of buying them is confusing me to no end.
Help!
