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Swap Stocks Online By Will Harper Starting an online trading account is one of the cheapest ways to find out what all this stock market fuss is about. The fees charged for each trade are far less than what many traditional brokerage houses charge, and it is a far cry from adrenaline-fed hyped and derided day-trader phenomenon. Trading stocks online is no different from buying stocks through a broker, except that the broker is dispensed with. Of course, that means when you lose big, there is no one else to blame. Starting an online trading account is simple. The major trading sites--E*Trade, Ameritrade, Wit Capital, Datek, Schwab--allow prospective customers to either apply online, download an application or request an application via snail mail. Getting on the mailing list isn't a bad idea, even if you're still undecided. Online traders will often try to woo you later with promotions, the online version of the free toaster at the bank. Now some companies are forgoing toasters completely and going straight for cash. E*Trade has recently been enticing fence-sitters by offering to deposit $75 into selected new accounts. Stocks are about money, so of course trading companies require a minimum account deposit to get going. E*Trade only asks for $500, but the minimum is usually higher, around $2,000. More established firms like Schwab require a $5,000 minimum to open a standard web account. Investors can buy stocks, mutual funds and traditional Roth IRAs. The major attraction of online trading is the rock-bottom prices for transactions. Datek, for instance, claims to charge only $9.99 for any stock trade up to 5,000 shares, no matter how much you make off the transaction. By contrast, traditional brokerages charge a percentage. The downside, of course, is not getting advice directly from a professional. But there is lots of research information on the Web (www.fool.com and www.quicken.com are standards) and, as the saying goes, if your broker is so good, why is he or she still working? Streamlined Living: Pare down and live simply. Put Up Yer Dukes: Don't get mad, get even. Cruising: Transit made simple. Soul Relief: Free your inner self. Get in on the Gold Rush: Grab a fistful of cash and join the party.     IPO Game Show     Get Your Own URL     Make More Money     Avoid The Funny Money Domestic Bliss: Make your house into a home. [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]