What website to use to buy stocks? (Scottrade, TDAmeritrade, IRAs)

[Fighting Fungus]

I am new to stock investing, but have some funds in 401k's and IRA's on Vanguard. I tried to buy the funds on on Vanguard but it asks me which fund I want to trade? I don't want to trad, I just want to buy. What website do you guys use?

[Jlong2315]

Originally Posted by Fighting Fungus

I am new to stock investing, but have some funds in 401k's and IRA's on Vanguard. I tried to buy the funds on on Vanguard but it asks me which fund I want to trade? I don't want to trad, I just want to buy. What website do you guys use?

Trade is the term that many platforms use. after selecting the trade button you can buy sell etc. I use fidelity but recently I've been using an app called robinhood to purchase stocks everything else I use fidelity. I only use robinhood to buy stocks because they let me buy stocks without a no transaction fee. most platforms charge $5+ per transaction. They also give you a free stock if someone refers you or you refer a friend to use their app. Here's my link if you want to use it. the stock you get is random. https://share.robinhood.com/jonathl1231. you don't get the stock until you buy a share of something just an fyi.

[Ariadne22]

Originally Posted by Fighting Fungus

I am new to stock investing, but have some funds in 401k's and IRA's on Vanguard. I tried to buy the funds on on Vanguard but it asks me which fund I want to trade? I don't want to trad, I just want to buy. What website do you guys use?

Trade means buy/sell. Are you purchasing/selling within the 401k/IRA? If so, you can only use Vanguard and trade within the 401k or IRA.

I have IRAs at TRowePrice and Schwab. I am given the option of exchanging/purchasing/selling TRowePrice funds w/in TRowePrice IRA. Non-TRowePrice Funds/stocks/etfs are purchased through the IRA brokerage account set up within the TRowePrice IRA. Schwab also allows me to trade within the IRA mutual funds, stocks, etfs, etc. all on one platform.

If you are buying/selling outside of the 401k/IRA, then you need a separate account (taxable) for that. I'm sure you can set one up on Vanguard - or else use another brokerage firm into which you'll have to deposit money - like TDAmeritrade.

But, if you want to trade within your 401k/IRA, you do that at Vanguard. Call their customer service if you can't figure it out.

[sholomar]

Fidelity
Ameritrade
Scottrade

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Fighting Fungus

I tried to buy the funds on on Vanguard but it asks me which fund I want to trade?

Call the 800# and ask for help.
But the first step is saying FUND when you mean that... and avoid STOCKS altogether at this stage.
Next step is knowing whether you want Index or Mutual or ETF.

Ask the people in the HR dept at work too.
Someone there should have a clue.

[Panda_Puck]

Originally Posted by Fighting Fungus

I am new to stock investing, but have some funds in 401k's and IRA's on Vanguard. I tried to buy the funds on on Vanguard but it asks me which fund I want to trade? I don't want to trad, I just want to buy. What website do you guys use?

I have used vanguard in the past. Below is how it works:
1. You transfer money from your checking/savings etc acct to Vanguard Account. Lets say you transfer $100 from your checking acct at Bank of America to Vanguard. As soon as you do that, Vanguard would put these $100 in its money market acct "fund" (VMMXX).
2. Now you can buy any of the Vanguard Mutual funds or ETF by using VMMXX "fund". whenever Vanguard asks "which fund you want to trade", just say VMMXX.

If you have 401K or IRA, your money would already be invested in some type of investment vehicle (mutual funds or ETF). Vanguard is asking whether you want to sell one of your existing mutual fund/etf and buy a new one or whether you want to inject more cash from checking/savings acct to buy new mutual fund/etf.
I am assuming you want to inject more cash so please follow step 1 and 2 i mentioned above.

Thanks,