Dean Wormer's point is right on th money. Since most people dont have 6 figures to plop down, their everyday local bank is th place they should be visiting and asking around for advice and seeing what's available. These people are more than happy to help, not only because most sit around all day doing jack, but because you are already a customer and if you are happy, you will, probably, bring in another customr or three just like you.

Aside from the advantages already noted, if you are a intelligent person, you can almost teach yourself a shitload about investing by using your local bank's services to the fullest. It's right down the street, no calling or e-mailing some shithead broker or rep from a HUGE company and hoping he calls you back before 10 O'clock next summer. You just walk in and talk/ask/bitch about/change whatever you want.

Fat Drunk Supid...and broke is no way to go through life kids.