What is the cheapest, easiest, fewest-fees way of buying stocks with $200?

I am a college student with about $200-$300 that I would like to invest in one or two stocks. I have heard of scotttrade, ameritrade, etrade, etc. I've looked at their websites, and I can't afford the $500 to join scottrade right now. I've been researching a little, and I think I know enough to begin with a little money.

So, I need a place that is either free or reasonable to sign up with, that lets me choose the stocks I want to buy, and is easy to work with. Also, I know they charge a fee for every trade you make, but is there a place that doesn't charge any other types of fees (no inactivity fees, monthly fees, balance fees, etc.)?

With $200-$300, how much should I keep back for fees etc.? Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Thank you all for suggesting bonds, I know that is a safer option. However, I kind of have my eye on one particular stock that I'd like to at least by a little of. Thanks!

I am a college student with about $200-$300 that I would like to invest in one or two stocks. I have heard of scotttrade, ameritrade, etrade, etc. I've looked at their websites, and I can't afford the $500 to join scottrade right now. I've been researching a little, and I think I know enough to begin with a little money.

So, I need a place that is either free or reasonable to sign up with, that lets me choose the stocks I want to buy, and is easy to work with. Also, I know they charge a fee for every trade you make, but is there a place that doesn't charge any other types of fees (no inactivity fees, monthly fees, balance fees, etc.)?

With $200-$300, how much should I keep back for fees etc.? Thanks in advance!

Those places that you listed are good - and I'm glad you were able to read the fine print (for example, one of those sites will only let you trade for their low fee on Tuesdays only and twice a month).

I personally like Sharebuilder a lot, but there's an enormous amount of fine print - Etrade is probably the next best one, but if you look at the company, it hasn't been performing that all well.

Just read the fine print as you have; Scottrade is excellent as well, but come on, be honest - do you REALLY need a real time tracker? If I had billions invested, then yes, because every penny can make or break me, but with $300, Etrade or Sharebuilder I think would work the best.

Try tradeking.com 4.95 per trade Report It

Buying it for under $200.00 ! Duh!!!!

hmm suggest out that like a goverment saving bond pay nearly no tax.

i would suggest you put your money into bonds or a money market account to be honest. When you only have $200 to invest with it can be hard because of the fees. Plus they are the highest risk. You really want have certain percentages of your money in different things (i.e. stocks, mutual funds, bonds, savings). Easiest way would be to buy bonds. There are higher and lower risk bonds but most of the time they are pretty safe plus its a guarenteed positive income too without the risk of the price going down. But of course the higher risk ones can default and you lose your money. Just keep doing your research like you have been. You can buy these through the government or through different companies. Email me if you'd like anymore info.

And so you know, you can only buy stocks through a broker. These brokers have a job and won't do it for free. Big companies won't give you a second look when you have $300 and they have other people with thousands and tens of thousands of dollars invested. You say you don't like the idea of bonds but to be honest i don't think you could do a lot with stocks with that little amount of money. But if you really want to, i would suggest trying to find a small local brokerage firm. They're rates are probably a little more reasonable.

Do not buy stocks with so little money. You can put it into an index fund, or some other no -load mutual fund. You have to look around, but you can find mutual funds you can start with $250 or so.