United States of America​
Opening a Brokerage Account
The initial step in starting to invest is to open a brokerage account. A brokerage firm acts as an intermediary between you (the investor), and the stock market. When you decide to buy or sell a stock, your brokerage account facilitates this transaction. The broker executes these trades on your behalf, ensuring that your purchase or sale is carried out in the stock market
According to Investopedia.com (a reputable source of financial content on the web), these are the best brokers available, depending on your specific goals:
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Fidelity Investments
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TD Ameritrade
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Interactive Brokers
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Tastytrade
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Did you know that a decision made by Charles Schwab in 2019 to cut management fees to $0 initiated a trend among major players in the market? This move towards zero-fee trading significantly influenced other firms, leading to a widespread adoption of this practice. As a result, it is now common for investors to enjoy "free" access to these platforms
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Additionally, many banks offer brokerage services. You may inquire with your preferred bank for more information
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In order to open a brokerage account, you will have to provide a number of documents to comply with financial regulations.
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These typically include:
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Government-Issued Identification: passport, driver's license, national identity card, etc.
2. Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (ITIN):
3. Employment Information: employment status, employer (if applicable), contact information
4. Financial information: annnual income, net worth, investment experience
5. Signed Contract with Broker
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Short term capital gains tax: Ranges from 10% to 37% depending on taxable income and filing status
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Long term capital gains tax: 0%, 15% or 20% depending on taxable income and filing status
After accessing your account, you will need to deposit the amount you wish to invest into your brokerage account, using the account number provided on their platform. Later, you will have the option to look up different securities including stocks, bonds, ETF on the search bar using their TICKER SYMBOL or NAME. After selecting one, you will be prompted with some questions.
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1. What type of order do you wish to make?
Remember
When buying a stock your risk is limited, as the lowest value any stock can reach is $0.
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However, when shorting a stock your risk is unlimited, as the stock could theoretically increase all the way up to infinity. Thus, establishing stop losses is crucial.
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We advise our members to avoid shorting in the beginning of their journey.
2. How many securities do you wish to purchase?
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3. Do you wish to purchase at the "market price" or set a "specific price"?
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Explanation
"When you buy at the 'market price', your order is likely to be filled immediately. However, in this case, you do not have control over the exact price at which you are buying. The market price is subject to fluctuation, potentially leading to a final purchase price slightly different from what you initially expected.
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On the other hand, if you set a 'specific price' for your order, it will only be filled at that particular price. This gives you control over the price you pay. However, be aware that setting an unrealistic price may result in your order remaining unfilled. It’s important to set a price that is reasonable and reflective of the current market conditions."
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Tracking my investments
After your order has been filled, you will often find a similar chart to this one in your brokerage account:
Portfolio Value
Time Period
Day you opened your account
Current Date
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In this space, you will be able to monitor your investments
We encourage our members to invest in the long term. Remember the power of compounding.
The short term often involves unpredictable or unmotivated fluctuations and higher taxes!
Remember the keys to a successful portfolio :
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Research
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Consistency
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Diversification
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Luck (due to the market's unpredictability)
