i want to make a small investment ($100) from my checking account. But where do i begin?

Answer 1

Heck, if you want a very conservative start, you cna get an online money market account that gets 5% interest, like PayPal.

But if you want a mutual fund, you may have to deposit a bit more. Try vanguard, they have the lowest investments I have seen, but I think they are a $500 minimum.

Answer 2

$100 isn't much for a one-time investing. If really serious about investing you have to make weekly or monthly contributions. I suggest doing a google search on: Stock mutual fund drip

DRIP allows you to dribble in a small investment each period (week or month), often automatically from your checking account. You set the amount, often as low as $10 or $50.

The nice thing about continual, long term investment is you realize the gains involved with "dollar cost averaging".

That $100 investment might get you started, but keep going. $100 alone will never be worth much. Case in point, a VERY good return on an investment is 12% annually. If you were to make 12% on that $100, then it would be like you giving me the $100 and me sending you a check for $1 each month. Does that seem worth it to you?

Answer 3

You're on the right track.. Start a savings account with Sharebuilder.. they charge $4 per transaction. Choose a stock/or sector fund if you want that.. Invest monthly this fixed amount of $100.00. Do this for the next 3-5 years and hopefully you have a nice little savings nestegg! Good luck. Better yet if you have a costco membership and if you can hold onto the money without spending on whatever it is that strikes your fancy, Costco have these pograms that give you like $50-75 back when you open a sharebuilder account with them. So another route is to open the keep the change account with BOA (the change gets sweeped into this savings account and BOA match the change amount for the first 90 days. up to $250 per year. Set up a savings account until you see this offer. Good luck

Answer 4

If I was in your place, and I had only $100 to invest one time… I would buy either a EE bond or I bond. Which one to buy is your personal choice. You can buy these online or from your local bank.

I was actually in the exact same situation once when I had 125 dollars. So, I had bought $100 I bond and a $25 EE bond (online). I still keep those bonds as memories. Even though that investment has not grown as much as a stock would have. But I would say that even one single dollar invested rather than spend on something foolish is worth.

If I face the same situation today, I would also consider donating it to charity. That is much better than spending it for one night. Believe me. $100 is too much. $35 would buy safe drinking water to hundreds of kids in African countries. Kids die of drinking water there. Just $35 saves lives of hundreds of people. Another example, for $30 you can sponsor an eye surgery in India, where they transplant eye to a blind person. Think of it, your $100, makes people see the colors of this beautiful world.

Its all personal choice. From your question, I can see that you do value this $100 dollars. So, I would say, invest it intelligently, or give it for a good cause. Do not spend it for fun with your friends. Just my opinion.

Good luck Friend.

Answer 5

Any investment is better than blowing the money. If you can afford to let go of the money now and dont need it back right away, you can do a few things. First off, you could buy a one to five year CD. They have higher interest rates than savings accounts. Or, if you want to buy mutual funds, you could use http://www.sharebuilder.com They will let you invest for free with no minimum.
If you think you may need the money back at some point during the year, the best thing to do is to put it into a high yeild savings accounts, such as http://www.ingdirect.com They will give you a higher rate than most banks, charge no fees, and you can have your money back within two days with electronic funds transfer.

Answer 6

That is not a great starting point...
I would put it into your savings account, then each pay day I would put 100 in there every month, that at the end of the year you will have $1200 with interest.....do it for 5 years, and then purchase a small home or Condo....
It is the best long term intestment that anyone could do.
good luck

Answer 7

a small investment $100.
Invest in Your Financial education
read 'rich dad poor dad' 'total money makeover' 'richest man in babylon'
your return on investment should be 1000 fold.

Answer 8

Blow it on a good night out and you will feel better.