For those folks looking to get a jump start on how to invest, the easiest and most direct method seems to be using online stock trading services. We see them in magazines and on television all the time. All we have to do is sign up, deposit some money and we're investing just like a seasoned professional, but what many of these sites don't tell you is how dangerous it is to invest with no real experience and with no real guidance from someone who has been around the block. That's why it is extremely important to use a traditional full service stock broker until you've become comfortable with managing your own stock and investment portfolio on your own. Since it takes most investors years if not decades to get to that point, it isn't recommended that new investors even consider sites like E*Trade or other online stock trading services.

When it comes to using a full service broker, you really do get your money's worth. Probably the most important part of using a full service stock broker is the fact that you get advice on each one of your trades. No matter how plugged in you feel, your broker trades stocks for a living, and they can give you valuable insight on the hot stock tip you have. They can give you a better idea if the stock tip really is going to work out, although they will happily place your stock buy even if they think you're making a bad move. A broker works for you, but you are better off listening to their advice on most stock situations.

A full service stock broker can also help you manage your short and long term investment goals. Depending on what it is you want to do with your money, they can help guide you in the right direction so that you are making smart trades with your savings. If you try to execute a trade that has an extremely high amount of risk, they can tell you and advise you not to do it, while at the same time, if most of your investments have only a small amount of risk and your goals require you to have a much larger nest egg set aside, they can try to steer you in a direction that will get you where you need to go in time. Think of a full service stock broker as a tour guide to the world of investing and to your own personal financial goals.

Finally, a stock broker is a great asset because they allow you to live your life and not have to spend it being your own stock broker. When you use online stock trading sites like E*Trade, there is only a small amount of generalized research available for you to read via the website. If you want to know the hottest stocks or the best investment advice, you have to do the research from scratch. Unless you are already retired and you find this sort of thing to be a fun, new hobby, you aren't going to have the time to do the research you need to do ahead of time. It is like taking on a whole new full time job while you continue to work your real job. No one wants that, but if you use online stock trading websites, that's exactly what you're doing.

As you can see, using a broker instead of the latest online stock trading website is a great idea unless you have hours and hours to devote to learning about stock trading.