Your net worth is not only a financial status marker, but is also an important symbol of your family’s economic stability and freedom. Between 2007 and 2010, the crux of the recent financial crisis, the average net worth of the American family dropped 40% according to the Federal Reserve. As we climb out of this crisis, it is now more important than ever to recover lost gains and take any steps to immediately increase net worth as we try to rebound over the long term. There are two main ways one can increase net worth: by increasing our assets, such as cash, or decreasing our debts, such as credit card bills. The following tips touch on both of these points to show how to increase net worth right away.

1. Prioritizing Debt Payments & Investing

This will apply to almost everyone. Most households have multiple loans – mortgages, car loans, credit cards or other bills to pay, but with a limited amount of cash to pay them. You need to decide how you will spread that cash to cover these payments and incur the least amount of interest that will be paid. If you have extra cash, you also need to decide whether you will invest this money or use it to pay down outstanding debt. Carefully look at the historical returns for your investments. If you are averaging only 4% return on your investments, but you are paying 5% APR on a car, it would make more sense to pay off your car first because the money you save on interest will be higher than your return from those investments. It’s always best to pay off higher interest loans, such as credit cards, over lower interest ones. This will serve to immediately keep money in your wallet.

2. Refinance Property

You cannot read this fact enough, refinance rates are lower than they have ever been. If you bought your home more than a few years ago and are planning on staying in your home for the next 3-5 years, you need to talk to your mortgage loan officer about getting a better rate. As of 10/25/2012, the average mortgage rate according to Bankrate.com is 3.47%, you can’t beat that. You will have to pay closing fees though, which is why you must decide how long you plan to keep your current home. Your mortgage payment will be lower, immediately adding money back into your wallet.

3. Revisit Taxes

If you find that you are paying too much tax throughout the year and receive a large refund, look into adjusting your withholding. This will provide you with more money every month instead of at the end of the year. You can then make this money work for you more quickly by paying down debts or investing it.

Also, throughout the year you can think about deductions that will reduce your tax liability in April. Some ones you may have missed are: charitable contributions, job search costs, student loan interest, moving cost for your first job, medicare premiums if you’re self employed, child care credit, higher education expenses, state & local taxes, energy saving home improvements, tax and investment expenses.

4. Optimize Insurance Plans

You should routinely be reevaluating your insurance plans, including car, home and health insurance. Recheck rates every year or two for the latest car and home insurance rates. Using an insurance broker may save you time and help you get the best rate.

If you are young and healthy, consider changing your health insurance plan from a low deductible to a high deductible plan. Make sure the high deductible insurance plan covers any major medical expenses that may arise. Chances are you will not only save money in the long run, but you will immediately add money back into your wallet. Take advantage of FSAs (Flexible Spending Accounts) if your employer is offering them. Or you can have an HSA (Health Savings Account) if you’re enrolled in a qualified high deductible health plan. In both plans, unused funds carry over through the years, and both have the benefit of offering tax savings on the money contributed to the account.

5. Make a budget

This may be an obvious one, but if you don’t have one by now, create a budget! Mint.com is one place to do just that and it’s free. It’s brought to you by the same company as TurboTax and is really a time saver when it comes to budgeting. You can combine all of your credit cards, bank accounts, and loans in one place to see how much you are really spending each month.  It’s important to remember that if you already have a job and have cash flow, the absolute best way to increase your net worth is to reduce your spending!

Jimmy Uhing is a savings writer for SelectAware.com, a site that offers consumers coupons, promo codes and discounts to help them save money in their everyday lives.

American consumers are increasingly changing their banks in response to an influx in fees and penalties from big-name institutions. Smaller banks are appealing to many people because they don’t have as many fees, and generally smaller banks offer better customer service. Still, some individuals are apprehensive about switching because their current banks seemingly have them cornered. Without a proper plan, you may be stuck banking with an institution you don’t like. Follow these six steps to make the process of switching banks smoother:

1. Start Shopping

Although you may be comfortable sticking with a big-name bank, you are less likely to incur fees from smaller banks. Such banks might not be as big or have as many locations, but their customer service is sometimes better, and many are still covered by the FDIC. Do your shopping in advance to check out all of the terms and conditions for opening a new account. Common places to look include local banks, credit unions and online banks.

2. Withdraw Cash

Your first instinct might be to close your current account and take all of your money out. While this is the ultimate goal, you first need to make sure you find a new account and get your financial affairs in order. Otherwise, you might miss out on deposits or payments and have to deal with fees on top of bills. Withdraw cash from your current account so that you can pay for the essentials while you are shopping for a new bank.

3. Stop Automatic Payments

Stop automatic bill pay and direct deposit before closing your current account. This will avoid future confusion for parties who regularly give you money or take bills out of your account. Set up an alternative method for paying bills, if necessary, such as money orders, until you have fully switched banks.

4. Open New Account

Once you have stopped automatic payments and direct deposits, it is time to open your new account. Read all of the terms and conditions, and make sure that you are getting the features you were promised by the banker, whether it is a higher interest rate or free checking. Deposit at least the minimum starting balance required.

5. Start Up Automatic Bill Pay

As soon as you open an account at a new bank, you should set up all automatic bill payments that you had with your other account. Failure to do so will likely result in missed payments and late fees, since you are more likely to forget to pay them now that you are doing it manually. Also, contact your employer to set up direct deposit if you prefer it over depositing checks, so that you can receive the money from your paychecks quicker.

6. Close Old Account

Closing an old bank account requires an in-person visit to the bank. If you are really serious about closing it, you should not be dissuaded by a banker at the branch. Ask ahead of time about any fees involved—chances are if you have been charged numerous fees in the past, this bank will charge a closing fee, too. Keep in mind that instances like these are the reason why you’re leaving, so don’t let it hold you back from moving onto a better institution.

Debbie Dragon is a financial writer for MyBankTracker.com, a site that helps consumers compare savings accounts, CD rates, and home equity loans to make informed banking decisions and save money.

Let’s face it, buying a new car can be a confusing process. All anyone really ever wants is to get a good car at a reasonable price. Sadly, this does not always happen. The key to getting the right car for you is determining exactly what you need as well as what you are willing to pay for it. When you can put a scenario together that provides you with a car that will fit into your lifestyle and budget, you’re set.

The value of the car is of course determined by many key factors such as price, potential resale value as well as many different options. However, each person’s view on value can be different so it is important to identify the qualities that you value in a car before you decide to make a purchase.  For example, some people may be willing to pay a higher price for a car that has more trunk/cargo space. On the other hand, that may not be as important to some people as things like heated seats and built in navigation. At the end of the day one thing is for sure, getting the things that you value at the right price will determine whether you make the deal or not.

The total price paid over the lifetime of the car is of course a large (arguably the largest) factor, but many people put this out of their mind and only look at the monthly payment. There are some cars, however, that have the reputation of providing high value because of their blend of price and features. Resale value is many times what comes and saves the day, and allows one to purchase a new car with a clear conscience. Purchasing one of the cars listed below will certainly help you get the most out of your dollar, even if you do lose more to depreciation than if you bought used.

The Mini Cooper is thought of as one of the best cars in terms of overall value. With a MINI’s price tag in the mid-to-upper twenties you are sure to get everything you need and more out of this vehicle (including a scolding from your spouse). People speak highly of this vehicle for many reasons: first, the reputation for reliability. Considering it’s a German-made and quintessentially “British” car, some old-school aficionados may consider both a miracle, but it’s true—t he Mini Cooper has been on the roadways for quite a few years now and almost all of them are in as good a shape under the hood and inside the cabin as they were when they were first released. In addition, the Mini has a few standard options that make it stand out from the pack in this price range. Not to mention the interior—if you’ve never sat in a Mini, you’re in for a treat.

Second, the Volkswagen Golf is another car that is well thought of in terms of value. The Golf is priced around the mid $20,000s. It has been long considered one of the best resale value German cars, and sells for a very reasonable price used. The most liked attributes? The utility of the hatchback, the reliability of German engineering and the fun-to-drive nature of the chassis. These are important factors, and can give you peace of mind that you will be able to sell your Golf down the line.

The classic example? The Honda Civic. It has long been long thought of as a vehicle with very high value both new and used. Civics have been in production for decades for a few reasons. Central amongst those reasons is because they last. The Honda Civic is synonymous with reliability. If you buy a Civic you know that you will not be stuck taking it in for repairs week after week all the while watching the bills stack up. The Civic is priced right around $20,000 and for this price it is a no brainer. Take into consideration the fact that the Civic gets great gas mileage. With the cost of fuel on the rise there is no doubt that driving a Civic will actually help to save you money (though many other foreign and domestic offerings now get good gas mileage as well). On the highway the Civic is known to get around 35 miles per gallon. In the city the figure is around 26 MPG. Regardless of where you do most of your driving, you can’t beat the value. See all Honda Civic trims and options, along with prices.

Last but not least, pickup trucks. Most notably, Japanese trucks such as the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra. These hold their value extremely well, and in general trucks always do. Their utility can’t be beat, and with workhorses like Toyota’s trucks, they never break and rarely need repairs, so there are no worries and can sell well at either 50,000 miles or 150,000.

“Source: Automobile Magazine. Edward Pacheco shares his knowledge about the latest new cars and automotive leasing options, and is thrilled to be featured on Personal Finance Analyst.”

Online Tax Preparation with TurboTax

BMO Investor Online offers premier stock trading for the country of Canada, focusing on the American market.  However, they have their work cut out for them, giving other stronger figures in the industry.

Their depth into the markets isn’t quite up to par with other similar services offer.  Their website is designed with customer service in mind, and its use of new technology gives an interactive stock trading experience that’s easy on the consumer.

With their use of Flash and other Web 2.0 technologies, their site guides the investor through the process while giving them up-to-the-minute updates regarding the markets, insights into successful investments, and so on.

The entire organization focuses heavily on individual retirement accounts and the wide variety thereof.  They include both Locked-In retirement plans and self-directed PSPs.  They also offer tax-free savings accounts, which aren’t quite as popular as the individual retirement accounts but are still prominent.

Unlike other similar services, BMO Investor Online doesn’t necessarily aim to educate the consumer, although there’s still a variety of helpful information accessible from their site.  They’re also not striving to help develop the customer’s portfolio like some other services are.

When it comes to first-time investors, BMO might not be the best option for you.  They do offer an extensive array of personal accounts but they don’t place much focus on stocks and bonds (with some personal bonds being an exception).  They give updates on markets, but they don’t guide you through the process.  They don’t tailor their site to your personal growth as an investor.

They do, however, feature products that are beneficial to an individual in the long run.  When it comes to Canadian savings and retirement accounts, BMO Investor is a front-runner.

Several perks do come with the site, however.  They have a foreign currency calculator to help you figure out the conversation between Canadian and American currency (or for those in other countries as well).  They also provide easy electronic access to funds, where you can transfer from other accounts into your BMO Investor Online account, making it easy and quick to get a portfolio or savings account up and running.

The site does offer some self-educational opportunities, however, but their resources don’t go in depth.  They’re limited to some basic advice, a glossary of terms, and similar low-brow approaches.

Whereas it’s easy to set up an account and get going, their customer service isn’t anything to write home about.  It doesn’t lack but it’s also not super prominent (it’s not even available from their website) and it doesn’t have the availability that some sources do—there’s no internet chat or 24-hour hotline to call.

BMO doesn’t get a spotless review from all investors, either.  First of all, their near $30 fee for the first 1,000 interactions runs a bit high, with several cheaper options available.  They have a high flat-trading fee of $10 and you don’t get a break until after many trades.

Furthermore, people complain that their savings account division isn’t easily accessible.  They say they’re misled and that it’s technically two separate sources, which the main page on BMO Investor Online doesn’t clear up.  Some reviews even go so far as to claim their customer service is lacking, with specific regard to their savings accounts and trying to connect one to their investment portfolio.

Finally, a frequent complaint is centered around BMO Investor Online’s lack of available stock options.  As mentioned, they don’t have quite the depth in the market that other sources do, meaning you’re left in the dark about certain prominent stocks or don’t even have the option to purchase them in the first place.

Overall, there’s not a lot that BMO Investor Online has to offer over similar services, even in the Canadian market.

Banking account fees have been the subject of much warning, debate, and ridicule over the years.  As the banking industry has continued to grow in the US, you have a variety of regional, local, or even sometimes national banks that are trying to outdo each other.

The way they make their money:  bank account fees.

Fees can come in all styles.  To a certain extent it’s a politics game that banks play, masking their fees with fine print, misleading sales pitches, and dishonest sales people.

Although there’s virtually any number of fees that your bank can assess you for any given reason, there are a few straightforward, common ones.  For example, if you take out a checking account with a major bank, they’re likely going to charge you a monthly fee.  Most of the time these fees are small, falling in the $9-20 range, but in today’s industry you don’t even need to settle for something like that.

Regional and local banks or credit unions tend to forego such fees.  They want local business, so they even sometimes allow you to sign up with no fees.

That’s where more secretive fees come into play.

It’s sort of a no-brainer that banks charge over-withdrawal fees.  If you accidentally spend up more than what’s in your account, you’re looking at a fine from anywhere from $20-$50 depending on the bank.  Similarly, there might even be a bounced-check fee that’s a higher penalty.

If you use your card at an ATM for another bank, you’re going to get a double-fee.  And that’s something most people overlook.  The ATM’s going to charge you a fee flat-out for using a machine that’s not on your network.  But then a few days later when the charge goes through on your account, your bank is also going to charge you a fee for using a foreign ATM.  Usually, these are only between $2-4 but it also means that you end up spending $5-10 just to take money out of your own account.

None of these fees are secretive and most people who have a checking account are aware of this.

However, if you also have a savings account, you might want to look at the fine print.  Most savings accounts are set up in such a way that they need to have a minimum balance.  If you go below this balance, you get a fee that’s usually some kind of flat-rate.  Similarly, if you have a savings account, you’re only allowed to withdraw from it a certain amount of times per month.  If you go above this amount, you’re going to face some kind of fee and you might even have your savings account aborted all together and converted into your checking account.

Because there’s controversy surrounding overdrafts on some checking accounts (specifically those which are linked to a savings account through the same bank) there’s new legislation that goes into effect this year preventing banks from charging certain fees or block you from linking your checking and savings account.

Similarly, this new legislation bars some forms of maintenance fees, upkeep fees, and annual fees.  Whereas an annual fee is common with a credit card, and there are some monthly fees imposed on checking accounts, additional annual fees are mostly done away with.

Some banks might charge to use their online service.  In other words, you’ll have to pay to access your account online.  However, this has become increasingly less common over the years and isn’t something you’re bound to find, necessarily.

The bottom line is that if you have an account with any major bank you’re likely going to experience at least a monthly fee on a checking account and you’re lined up to deal with fees serving as penalties for not following their guidelines.  It’s worth it to make sure you fully understand this from the beginning before you get involved with a certain bank.

Right off the bat, TD Ameritrade, a prominent online stock broker site, gives investors reason to get involved: a free trial for 30 days.  Many similar services require some kind of start up fee or minimum account balance, but TD Ameritrade doesn’t, which draws in tons of consumers.

Backing up a bit, TD Ameritrade has held one of the top positions in the US stock and bond trade for decades.  Even in the late ‘80s they were ahead of the curve, offering touch-tone phone trading.  Come the early ‘90s they launched into the online boom with a Windows-based program that utilized the Internet to connect you to the trading world.

In short, during the 2000’s Ameritrade had potential to acquire several other small similar businesses, often opting to do so and eventually becoming the powerhouse that it is today.

Currently, they have over six million customers worldwide and are only continuing to expand.  They specialize in offering preferred stocks, futures, ETFs, option trades, mutual funds, fixed income, margin lending, and cash management services.

They offer $10 broker commissions on trades, which is high by some standards, but given their stronghold on the market it’s well-deserved.  Their depth into the US market is essentially unparalleled making them one of the most viable options for anyone who’s going to get serious about investing.

Typically new customers are given a free 30 day trial run, which several of their competitors also offer.  Similar to the competitors, they also offer a vast array of information so that the consumer can educate his or herself on trading and the details on various stocks and bonds.

Their website is laid out specifically with customer service in mind, running the newcomer through crucial information, providing helpful resources, and offering tutorial services.

But what Ameritrade’s website really puts its emphasis on is their fair pricing.  With access to a wider variety of stock information than most sources, Ameritrade also charges a relatively low stock broker fee which brings in traders of all kinds, with all kinds of budgets.

Ameritrade’s site lines up objective research for the trader who’s wanting insight into the market.  This information is accessible from their main page, taking you into a separate program.  Furthermore, they include frequently updated webcasts to walk you through important breaking information, online workshops where traders come together and share information, and even a sort of brainstorming room called the “Idea Generation.”

Furthermore, their site includes an interactive trading platform that allows you to access current market information.  It’s updated by the second, so you always have a leg up on what’s going on in the marketplace.

Barron’s magazine named the TD Ameritrade web platform the best in the business in 2008 and has given distinctions to the company since then in some form or another.

As far as customer reviews go, Ameritrade usually gets high marks. People are particularly fond of their easy web platform and find the vast array of stock market information accessible from the website to be extremely helpful.

People tend to feel like Ameritrade is on their side, helping them make the best choices and to otherwise become as fluent in the market as they’d like to be.  They believe Ameritrade exceeds the call of duty for what they provide their customers.

It’s possible to find cheaper overhead stock broker commissions out there at other sources, which tends to turn some people off.  But the overall consensus is that Ameritrade’s depth into the market makes up for the slightly higher (although still considered to be on the cheap side, relatively speaking) broker fees.

With a company that’s succeeded so well in the past 30 years, it’s pretty safe to say that Ameritrade is a good bet for your stock market trading needs.

You know the drill.  You receive your bills and they pile up on the table unopened with the subconscious hope that they will magically disappear.  You know you are carrying more consumer debt than you can handle and just the sheer thought of opening your bills is enough to set off a streak of procrastination, not to mention feeling like your life is spinning out of control.  Sound familiar?

The good news is….you are not alone. Everyone has been there at one point or another in their life.  The difference is in what you decide to do about it.  In reality you know the bills are not going to go away so the best thing to do is face it head on by rolling up your sleeves and start finding your way out one step at a time.  Once you get started you will find that getting debt free is easier than you think.

Gather All of Your Bills

Open up a blank spreadsheet in a program such as Microsoft Excel or Open Office and create a set of categories that relate to your finances.  The categories should be broken down into columns that reflect your utilities, credit card bills, loans, and other bills that relate to your finances.  Enter in the amount you owe for each, come up with a total amount for each category so you can see the amount for each and then add up the grand total.  If the total is more than what you bring home then a lifestyle change is in order and you must come up with a plan of action.

Create a Plan of Action

The plan of action should involve prioritizing the bills that should be paid first and should include the bills you have that charge a high rate of interest such as credit cards.  Cut up the high interest credit cards, stay consistent with your repayment plan, and take things one step at a time.  If you look at the big picture you will get overwhelmed.  Only keep one card.  You do not need multiple cards that tempt you into spending money you do not have.

If necessary, consider a lower-interest consumer consolidation plan that allows you to place all of your debt into one payment.  This way you can pay down what you owe faster without the high interest rates eating into the principal payment.  With regular base bills such as utilities, use an automatic payment plan to ensure the bills are paid.  This will also help you to gradually restore your credit rating over time.

Eliminate the Things You Do Not Really Need

Next, use another spreadsheet to make a list of all of the assets you have including those that you are regularly spending money on such as computer games, eating out, unnecessary play toys such as ATV vehicles, and any other things that are considered to be extra or unnecessary in most people’s lives.

Decide if you really need all of these extras and determine if there is a way you can find an alternative that does not cost as much money.  For example, if you are always getting the latest PlayStation perhaps you can cut back on this luxury while you pay down your debt.

Most of your items you can sell on sites like eBay and other online auction sites or you can choose to hold a yard sale.  Use the money that you make from selling non-essentials to pay down your debt.

Meet with Your Creditors

Meet with your creditors and do not be afraid to tell them all of the steps you have taken to date.  If you wish, you can bring a credit counselor with you that will help you deal with your creditors such as banks and other financial institutions where you have debt.  The fact that you have taken the time to meet with your creditors personally to provide documentation on what you have accomplished so far will add a lot of credibility to your meeting.  Additionally, if you are working with a credit counselor this will show your sincerity as well.

Stay Out of Debt

Once you are out of debt….stay out. Period.  In the long run you will find that it is well worth the piece of mind and it is a good feeling knowing that once again you are in control.

Scotia iTrade serves primarily as a Canadian online trading source.  They’re popular in the realm, but given the abundance of American-based sources that are available from anywhere in the world, their Canadian approach doesn’t necessarily nab them any customers they wouldn’t already have.

That’s not to say they aren’t popular—they are.  And they have a French translation on their website for those in the French speaking areas of Canada.

Regardless of their key demographic, Scotia iTrade still has a lot to offer.  Simply put, Scotia has a wide variety of stocks at their disposal for easy and quick trading.  Furthermore, they take as low as $6.99 per trade in commission, meaning traders get a better deal than with several other similar sources.

Their website is extremely user friendly, however. It doesn’t come with a full array of bells and whistles but Scotia gets something right in today’s market because they allow users to customize their own profile.  They allow investors to create their own virtual world and personalize aspects of the trading process.

Scotia iTrade also offers an array of accounts, ranging from personal to non-personal accounts.  They offer cash accounts, margin accounts, and cash optimizer accounts.  Furthermore, they also tackle personal investments and retirement accounts, such as tax-free savings accounts and retirement savings accounts (separate from your traditional IRA).

Unlike many other services there’s virtually no start-up fee or minimum balance on your account.  As their site advertises, all you need to start up is a check for $1 and a government issued ID.  From there, you can set up an account through their website, personalize your page, and watch your accounts from there.

One perk of the Scotia iTrade site is that it gives you an Extended Hours trading source.  What this does is give you access to the American markets even when the market hours are over.  You can stay up to date with speculation on the market and important announcements, that way you can always be in peak trading condition.

Similarly, they set up a “watch list” for stocks that you want to stay up to date on.  Or if you’re planning on selling a current stock at the appropriate time, it stays on top of that and notifies you when it reaches the correct point in the market.

Scotia Itrade also compiles a wide variety of analyst research as well.  It forms a database from analysis done by trained professionals across the world.  With this feature, they guide you in the right direction, help you understand the way the market works, and gives you a leg up on the competition.

Reviews of Scotia iTrade are primarily from Canadian sources, but most say favorable things.  Because of the low fees, lots of people use Scotia.  Furthermore, many people seem to favor their electronic transfer of funds.  This makes it easier to quickly get going on a portfolio, allowing you to add funds from other bank accounts instantly.

One of the most prominent aspects of the service that people like is the do-it-yourself approach.  People praise the fact that they can set up and design their own home page through the site.

Some reviews indicate a discrepancy from Scotia iTrade’s website, claiming that some trades result in up to $20 commissions for the broker, even though the service prides themselves on low fees.

For first time traders, Scotia iTrade might not be the right option.  Given their Canadian base, it’s ideal for that crowd and there are a handful of more powerful options in the US.

However, Scotia does make it easy to transfer over existing portfolios, which is an added bonus for those who have already been in the investment game.  They also give timely updates on the market, making it a useful source.

In the US, Etrade’s popularity is widespread.  Of all the major online stock and investing services, Etrade advertises most heavily, indicating their prominence in the industry.

Etrade has been a leader in stocks and investing since its inception over 20 years ago.  Even in the early 90s when the internet was still a fairly new creation, Etrade managed to establish themselves as a steady force in the investing and trading business.

They currently have over 4.3 million customers worldwide, with a net value of roughly $189 million.  Unlike some online trade services, Etrade doesn’t require a large amount of money to start up and often finds you stock trades as low as $10 per share (if not lower).

One of the most promising aspects from Etrade is their full range of investment options and their tutorial website which helps the consumer find the right options for them.  In fact, Etrade prides themselves heavily on their full range and emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded portfolio, which is something that not many other similar services focus on.

Like many similar sites, Etrade offers a wide array of modern technology to guide the consumer through the stock trading and investing process.  Their programs go so far as to analyze risk, help you pick a retirement account, show you your current portfolio, and so on.  There’s also an included income estimator and a search feature that helps you sort through both your current stocks and find potential future investments.

Should you need further information about your stocks Etrade also offers personalized assistance.  They can set up a phone or personalized meeting where someone who’s professionally trained will run you through the process of buying and trading stocks.  They even offer chartered retirement planning councilors.  These specialists focus on both rollover and personal planning.  Online chat and phone services are both options for your personal guidance sessions.

Unlike other similar services, Etrade also has an extensive grouping of tutorial videos available directly from their website.  These videos specialize in specific topics, such as investment myths, how to protect your portfolio, and any other number of trade-related problems.  Their videos are divided into three groups—basics, intermediate, and advanced—to help you with your specific problem.

Etrade is also available internationally and specializes in trading in international markets.  Etrade is extremely popular in other countries such as China and many European countries.  International investors use Etrade to get a jump on the American market, given how strong it typically is.

Reviews of Etrade are almost exclusively positive, with most consumers being extraordinarily fond of how simple it is to use the site, open up an account, and manage your stocks and bonds.  Furthermore, consumers really like how informative the Etrade company is, specifically regarding their videos and tutorial programs.

As well as offering stock and investment services, Etrade also offers savings and checking accounts.  This makes it extremely easy for a consumer to get involved in the stock industry since their funds are already attached to the Etrade site.  There’s also a variety of Etrade apps for mobile phones of all sorts.

The Etrade customer service gets extremely high reviews as well.  Those who’ve invested in Etrade for so long find that their customer service representatives are extremely easy to get along with.

The only real complaints regarding Etrade is that they take a hefty fee for their work. The pros seem to outweigh this for the most part, given their extensive information pool.  But Etrade brokers tend to take a higher commission than other services.

The general consensus seems to be that if you’re a heavy trader, Etrade is a strong option.  And although they do make it easy to get into the game and teach you what to do, it might not necessarily be the best site for beginning investors or those not looking to put much money into their investments.