You always hear us finance bloggers telling you to invest for your retirement. We use big words like 401(k), 403(b), IRA, and Roth IRA, but usually assume you all know what they mean and how they work. Today, I am going to share the basics of what you need to know to open and fund an IRA or Roth IRA account.
[Read more…] about How to Start an IRA (or Roth IRA)Investing
Building a Real Estate Snowball
Over the last 50 years, the S&P 500 has yielded a compound annual growth rate of 9.41%. With returns like that, why would anyone consider investing elsewhere? I know several people who have made a great living for themselves renting out properties, so I thought I would run the numbers to see if it is better to invest in the stock market or the real estate market by building a real estate snowball.
[Read more…] about Building a Real Estate SnowballWeBull Review: Is It Worth Trying?
What do you look for when you're shopping for an online stock brokerage? Some features that may come to mind include reliable customer service, security, a proven track record, and of course, competitive trading fees. (Don't we all hate those pesky trading fees?) If you're interested in a reputable brokerage that charges zero commission, then check out WeBull!
What is WeBull?
If you are just hearing about WeBull now, you might be wondering if they're legit. Don't worry, they totally are! They are an SEC-registered member of FINRA and SIPC, which means your brokerage account is insured.
Is WeBull really free?
Yes! They don't charge any account opening or maintenance fees.
Please note that relevant FINRA and SEC fees may still apply. See their website for more information.
What can you trade on WeBull?
WeBull allows extended trading hours including pre-market hours (4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. EST) and after-hours (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST).
Updated 11/3/19: Options trading is now available as of November 2019! WeBull also now offers Rollover, Traditional, and Roth IRA accounts!
WeBull tools, education, and resources
Another cool feature is the “Community” tab. You can see what other users are chatting about in the Streams and even join in on the conversation. What I like are the Top News and Watchlist features, which are updated hourly with relevant news articles from Reuters, CNBC, Benzinga, etc. It's convenient to get all your news in one place, especially if you're a pretty advanced trader and really want to stay on top of your stocks!
WeBull free stock promotion
When you open an account and make an initial deposit of $100 or more within the first 30 days, you'll receive a free stock! The stock you receive is random and will be valued between $8-1000 per share. If you're curious about your odds, here's what WeBull says:
- Approximately 1:1.02 odds of
a stock from $8-10 - Approximately 1:52.63 odds of
a stock from $10-100 - Approximately 1:1111.11 odds of
a stock from $100-200 - Approximately 1:10000 odds of
a stock from $1000 range
WeBull versus Robinhood
If you've used Robinhood before, you'll know that it's a popular investing platform very similar to
Robinhood allows you to invest in stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrency while WeBull only offers ETFs and stock trading. On the other hand, WeBull offers more extended trading hours.
Robinhood's platform is a little bit more user-friendly for a beginner investor. The beautiful interface encourages newbies to get familiarized with investing. More advanced users may find Robinhood a bit limiting. If you want more advanced features, you need to upgrade to Robinhood Gold which is their premium service for $5 a month.
If you have at least intermediate knowledge about stock trading, WeBull would be suitable for you. You can still use WeBull if you're a beginner, but some may find the features and tools a bit advanced.
Eric's 2 Cents
Before adding WeBull as an affiliate (we get a referral fee if you sign up through a link on this site), I downloaded the app and gave it a try myself. For my free stock, I got 1 share of Israel-based generic pharaceuitical company Teva. Funny enough, I had just sold that stock in my main investment account. You get a free share after depositing $100 in a new account.
Overall, WeBull is intuitive and easy to use. It is the second big app-based brokerage I have tried out myself in the commission-free-investing space, and I was impressed. I reccomend it most to people who want to learn more about active trading. While I'm more of a passive investor myself, active investors can save a fortune on trade commissions when moving to this commission-free brokerage.
When investing, every dollar counts. Just as I'm a fan of low-fee ETFs, I'm a fan of low fees in your investment account. WeBull makes a great choice for beginners and experts alike who want to escape fees charged by the typical brokerage.
WeBull review summary
All things considered, WeBull delivers on what it offers. It's an affordable online brokerage that will save you money on commission fees. It won't handle 100% of your investment needs but is a great supplement to your existing brokerages. Their mobile app is full of awesome features that an active investor will find very useful.
If you're fairly new to trading, however, you might choose to start with Robinhood. After you get comfortable, you can upgrade to WeBull. Or, since they're both free to open an account, try them both! I don't think you can go wrong with either option. I hope you found this WeBull review helpful!
Flip Houses or Rent Out Real Estate?
Have you ever thought about flipping houses on the side? Or maybe you've always wanted to buy real estate and rent out your property to make a consistent semi-passive monthly income? Both strategies can potentially make money, but is it better to flip houses or rent them?
[Read more…] about Flip Houses or Rent Out Real Estate?The Stock Market: The Complete Beginner Guide
The stock market is the most well-known place to invest. It is fast-paced. It is glamorous. Millions of dollars are made and lost every minute the market is open. It can be intimidating to get started, but once you get a grasp on how it works, you will understand why there is no reason for you to be afraid to invest in the stock market and get your fair share of the gains.
[Read more…] about The Stock Market: The Complete Beginner GuideHow Technology Can Help You Increase Your Financial Knowledge
This post comes in conjunction with our friends at Fisher Investments.
Whether you want to learn more about the different kinds of investments and financial strategies available or are ready to start investing for retirement, modern technology can be extremely helpful. From apps that help you track the stock market to advice from financial companies' social media profiles, you can increase your understanding of the financial world and apply that knowledge to your own investment strategy. Read on to see how technology can help you improve your overall financial management.
Put Your Smartphone to Work
Smartphones continue to become more essential to modern life as technological advances improve performance and increase capabilities. You can use your smartphone to help manage your finances in a variety of ways. If you want to learn how the stock market works and watch ups and downs while you decide whether to invest, you can find a simple, easy-to-use app. Your smartphone can also help you with your daily budgeting and money management. You can use a mobile budgeting app to create and track your budget and expenses.
Embrace Online Banking
Many banks also have apps that allow you to pay bills, deposit checks, transfer funds, and view your balance. Online banking is convenient, and it can also be a powerful tool to help you understand and manage your money. Check out your bank's online site to find all the available features. You may be able to access special loan rates, find protection for online shopping transactions, and take advantage of other tools and tips. You may also be able to access statements, so you don't have to worry about keeping folders full of paperwork.
Research Investment Opportunities
Are you thinking about adding stocks to your investment portfolio but aren't sure where to start? Modern technology and the internet can help you understand how the market works and give you the tools and information you need to make the right decision for your unique circumstances. There are countless articles, videos, and tutorials about how the stock market works, what you need to start investing, and how to incorporate stocks into a well-rounded financial portfolio.
You can also use the internet to research and follow specific companies prior to investing. Say you are thinking about buying stock in a specific company; before you invest, you may want to learn more about that company's mission and corporate values or get a better understanding of the products it produces. A quick online search can help you find the company's official website and social media profiles so you feel knowledgeable and confident before investing.
Learn About Retirement Planning
One of the most important parts of your financial management is planning for retirement. Unfortunately, many people feel intimidated by the sheer volume of information and opinions on the “right” kind of retirement strategy. However, you can find trustworthy sites that provide access to advise from a variety of financial experts. Having access to advise from several experts in one place makes can cut down your research time while also increasing your access to important financial information.
Automate Your Savings
The majority of people consider saving more money to be a vital financial goal. If you would like to increase your savings to pad your emergency fund, work toward a vacation, or increase your retirement accounts, there are several areas where technology can help. You can find smartphone apps that help you save more automatically. Depending on which one you choose, you can invest change from purchases into the stock market or move a portion of your daily budget to a savings account. Some apps even feel like games, so you can feel more motivated to reach your savings goals.
Engage With Financial Experts and Companies
Social media networks have opened up new channels of communication between financial institutions and their clients. Many companies now provide helpful information and advice to clients through tips, videos, and posts on Facebook and YouTube. Following or subscribing to this sort of content can help you increase your financial knowledge automatically by integrating data into your daily perusal of social media feeds.
Social media, smartphone apps, and the internet can provide numerous benefits for those who want to take charge of their financial situation. Between articles, stock market tracking, automatic savings, and online banking, you can use technology to manage and invest your money successfully.
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