Buying Mutual Funds Online Using an Online Broker

You have many choices in how you purchase mutual funds. In addition to purchasing directly from the mutual fund company, you can purchase mutual funds through registered representatives of banks, trust companies, stockbrokers, discount brokers, and financial planners. To purchase mutual funds via the Internet, go to an online broker’s Web site. (I list a few examples later in this section.)

Maximizing Your Investments with Tax Deferred Accounts

An individual retirement account (IRA) is one of the best ways you can accumulate something to invest because making contributions and earnings is often tax-free. An IRA must be established with a financial institution that has received Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approval to offer IRAs.

Using the Internet to Make Financial Planning Easier

Many people find it difficult to shake off the notion that if they’re not wealthy, they don’t need to do any financial planning. Stock market volatility, inflation, changing interest rates, unemployment, illness, and hard times are part of life.