How Much Does It Cost To Open An Online Brokerage Account?

I recently received this email from a reader named Jeff:

Ron, how much does it take to set up an account at one of the online brokerages you’ve written about? I don’t have much to get started but I’d like to open a Roth IRA and maybe even a regular taxable investment account. Thanks for your reply and I love your site. You have a TON of information and I’m trying to sort through it all. I have especially enjoyed your recent series on Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).

Thanks Jeff. Investing in your future really doesn’t cost that much, though some brokerages do have minimum starting investment amounts, others allow you to set up your account without funding it at all. Of course

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Does the Availability of a Credit Card Create More Spending?

Millions of Americans have credit cards, and most do not use them responsibly. In fact, the majority of credit card holders do not even know how to use their credit cards responsibly, but does the very fact of having a credit card and a credit card limit available to spend make some customers spend more? Some experts say yes, even if the borrower knows that they will end up paying a great deal more on money they spend with their credit card. The fact is, many people unconsciously factor in their credit card limit when they think about how much money they have to spend, and if they have already spend their paycheck, the credit card is a temping option when they want something.

This question has been the focus of heavy debate for years.

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General Insurance Buying Tips

Insurance policies are great instruments to use when you are serious about financial planning. The covered risks and affordable insurance premiums mean you can focus more on developing wealth and not on managing day-to-day risks. This is exactly why insurance policies, when integrated properly into a good financial plan, can be very useful. In this part, we are going to discuss some very valuable insurance buying tips that you can use to help you find the best insurance policies to purchase.

First of all, buying an insurance policy is like buying a house; you need to take your time and look at the available options thoroughly before making up your mind. Read full post…

10 Stores With Price Match Guarantees

A lot of stores say they have the lowest prices. Some go further and advertise they will match — or beat — lower prices found at competitors. While these price match guarantees often have restrictions — most won’t match pricing at Internet-only stores like Amazon.com — they can still offer a great way to save both time and money. Here’s a guide to some of the major stores that offer price match guarantees.

Credit cards minus plastic equals Google Wallet? Maybe

Last week, a small group of partner companies unveiled Google Wallet, a new service that allows you to access your credit card securely and pay for goods and services at brick-and-mortar outlets using your smartphone. Google Wallet partners include Google, Citi, MasterCard and Sprint so its probably a good idea to take the new product seriously. Stephanie Tilenius, Google vice president of commerce and payments, said in a statement:

Today, weve joined with leaders in the industry to build the next generation of mobile commerce.

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Lunch with Buffett Auction: 2011 Edition

Every year, Warren Buffett auctions off lunch at Smith & Wollensky steakhouse in midtown Manhattan. The winner gets to bring seven of his closest friends for some steaks and salads with the Oracle.

Last year, the winner decided to remain anonymous after forking over $2.63 million for lunch with Buffett. Despite the recession, which reduced the take in 2009 to a “mere” $1.68 million, down from $2.11 million, 2010?s haul reversed the downward trend.

Here are past winners:

  • 2003 – $250,100 – David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital hedge fund,
  • 2004 – $202,100 – Jason Choo of Singapore (later increased his donation to an even $250k)
  • 2005 – $351,100 – Opted to remain anonymous
  • 2006 – $620,100 – Yongping Duan, a famous Chinese business figure who founded Subor Electronics Industry Corporation and BKK Electronics Group.
  • 2007 – $650,100 – Two investors, Mohnish Pabrai, of Pabrai Investment Funds, and Guy Spier of Aquamarine Capital Management LLC. Pabrai will pay 2/3s, S

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