ThinkOrSwim Review – An Alternative Method of Stock Trading

Thinkorswim, gives innovative trading platforms to investors and market titans alike and has received recognition by many as one of the industrys best trading services.  In existence since 1999, ThinkorSwim has  grown and developed substantially, delivering powerful and straightforward technology which supports active traders.

The company has served as an internet-based broker for over a decade, bringing together all necessary parties for prime investment.  But they exceed the call of duty by incorporating a high-class customer service option to their services.

Simply put, Thinkorswim educates consumers.  They educate those looking to invest.  And although they also set up the connection between the investor, trader, and the client, their approach centers around educating the potential investor.

Similarly, ThinkorSwim has it imbedded in their mission statement that they challenge the consumer to educate themselves about the industry and to figure out how to be the best trader and investor they can be.

More so than anything, ThinkorSwim is a vast array of knowledge.  It’s an information source for those trying to get into investing or trading.  It’s like a training program unto itself, getting the investor ready to dive into the market.

Opening an account is simply accessible from their site’s front page and unlike some services you don’t need to put in a large sum of money to get going (though it is required that you put in funds up-front to begin constructing your portfolio).

The website features up-to-the-minute updates regarding the national stock market (as well as stocks on a global scale).  It also offers several programs to download and install on your computer that can run you through the way trading and investing works.  ThinkorSwim is also credited with being the first online company to use Web 2.0 technology in their site, giving consumers much more interaction than other sources typically do.

Their software is state of the art, always updated and refreshed so that you don’t experience bugs or glitches.  It’s all accessible from their website.  Furthermore, they have Flash tutorials to help you use the software that you can download from them.

Because of their education approach, many consumers find ThinkorSwim to be an ideal site.  It’s a little more of an alternative pick—some people don’t like to stray from the path and choose to go with the more mainstream and popular sources.  But for a small, web-based start up, the ThinkorSwim mission resonates with many people and makes the trading process easy.

ThinkorSwim also offers seasonal or semi-regular promotions to draw in customers.  Depending on when you’re trying to open your portfolio, you might get a deal and be able to sign up for extremely free or cheap.  These specials, however, do fluctuate.  However it’s not necessarily something you’re likely to find on another site.

The company has also won several awards, stemming from the Barron’s award sessions, which gives out awards for the best online brokers on an annual basis.  They’ve earned a 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars on multiple occasions, also being named “best for frequent traders” and “best option for traders” in 2009, 2008 and several times prior.

ThinkorSwim also offers a prominent mobile phone application so you can access your account, get tips, and so on from your cell phone.

Reviews of ThinkorSwim are generally positive, usually complimenting its user-friendly approach and excellent training program.  However, some people complain that they’re not great for international traders.  Also, the site requires a $3,500 deposit to open an account.  Although in reality this is a smaller amount than through many sites, it’s still not a pay-as-you-go option.

CARD Act Dodge? AmEx Teams Up With Facebook

It appears that the CARD Act is making a difference—at least, on college campuses where the law prohibits credit card and bank marketers from soliciting to students. The Federal Reserve recently reported a 17% drop in the number of credit cards issued by banks via college campuses and alumni associations.

That’s definitely progress. But there’s another huge gathering place for millions of college students, where the CARD Act has no jurisdiction, and where some banks and card companies are setting up virtual booths to attract young adults: Facebook. It ma

Read full post…

Banks Benefiting from More Business Credit Card Use

The National Small Business Association will soon reveal statistics that show small business owners are using their credit cards more often despite being unable to pay down their balance every month as they had in the past, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. Over the last two years, many small business owners have seen their debt balloon into the range between $10,000 and $25,000 while fewer carried less than $10,000 in debt.

Between June and December 2010, the number of small business owners who paid off their total balance every month dipped from 56 to 54 percent, while the amount of those with a balance of less than $10,000 on their account declined to 21 percent from 23 percent, the report said.

Read full post…

Aurora Bank: 90 Years of Banking And Still Going Strong

Where do you bank? Have you ever considered WHY you bank where you do? What would another bank have to offer to make you switch banks? If you’re dissatisfied with your current bank, check out Aurora Bank.

Founded in 1921, Aurora Bank was originally called Delaware Savings and Loan Association and currently has offices in California, Colorado, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey and New York. But because of online banking, all a bank needs today is ONE office … and a connection to the Internet … to begin connecting with customers and offering things like:

  1. Checking accounts
  2. Mortgages
  3. Savings accounts
  4. Money Market accounts
  5. Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

Though it doesn’t offer a rewards program like PerkStreet, Aurora Bank has a high yield checking account with a current rate of 0.84% when you maintain an average daily balance over $1000. As a me

Read full post…

Is LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Worth It?

Nearly five years ago, I considered Lasik eye surgery but I never pulled the trigger. It wasnt that I was afraid or concerned, I was just used to contact lenses, they didnt bother me, and I felt like I didnt need to fix something that wasnt broken.

Fast forward to this year and my contacts are becoming less and less comfortable. On several occasions my eyes have been really bothered by them to the point I keep them out most of the day when Im working from home. The only times I put them in are when I play sports and when we go out, its just more convenient.

The most common concern when it comes to Lasik is the price.

Read full post…

More new/improved credit card offers

More new/improved credit card offers by Peter Andrew

It was only last week that this blogger accused credit card companies of operating within an oligopoly. He was arguing that, partly because the barriers to entry into the credit card market are so high, card issuers have no reason to compete against each other over fundamentals. Instead, they vie for market share mostly around introductory offers and credit card rewards programs.

Credit card companies do compete

Well, maybe things are changing, because Citis new product, the Citi Simplicity® Card, really does seem different.

Read full post…

Page 14 of 298« First...1213141516...203040...Last »