Help! How do I buy stock?

I have just been given a Christmas present of 10 shares of my company's stock from my employer. The only catch is, I have to buy them myself and I will be reimbursed. I would really like to make this investment but I have never bought stock before. What would be the best way to go about buying these 10 shares? When I looked at some trading websites, they say that I must fund an account with at least $2000. I don't have that kind of money. I just want to buy 10 shares of one stock and that's it. Please help.

http://www.scottrade.com/, ive used them in the past and they require 500 dollars.

also, your bank might allow you to make investments through them. check with your local branch and you might be able to work something out.

scottrade has a minimum balance of 500 dollars. that is the lowest brokerage minimum to my knowledge. honestly no one is going to let you buy just 10 shares, there is no money in it for them.

I think Scott Trade does not have a minimum or it is pretty low. I have an account there and I don't think there is much money in it I haven't looked in a while as I jumped on the Bio bandwagen when they announced successful stem cell cloning technic and believe I lost a few hundred... I don't want look

Sharebuilder doesn't require a minimum deposit. You can sign up with Sharebuilder, but your 10 shares, and place your account "on hold" or, as an easy way to invest in the future, is to have automatic deposits into Sharebuilder and purchase stocks as you like. You can select how often you want to purchase, say once a month, once every two weeks, etc. It's a great way to start investing for your future. Hope this helps.

Try Sharebuilder.com because it has low purchase fees to get started...as little as $4/trade if you purchase on the plan which means they buy on Tuesdays. No minimum monthly activity and no inactivity fee. They may have a $25 account set-up fee, but that is reasonable. Most brokers won't talk to you for less than $5,000. After you set up your account, add a little to it each month. Their money market account rates are fair while you accumulate cash for future investments.

BW

Scottrade & Sharebuilder are both good suggestions.

I would also suggest that you check if your company has a DSP/DRP (Direct Stock Plan/Divedend Reinvestment Plan) These two are nearly the same thing; the second one requires that you already own one share. The idea is that you buy stock directly from the company & save on the broker fees (although Scottrade & S-builder are very reasonable) so you can put the money more toward the stock. You can find out on the company website.

Good Investing to You!

;-)


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