My Experience with TD Ameritrade--Thanks to Money Guru Suze Orman

TD Ameritrade wasn't even on my radar until money guru Suze Orman started "Suze's Save Yourself Movement," which encouraged women to plan for their futures by saving and investing money. It seemed like a pretty good idea, especially since there was a $100 reward for those who opened an account and deposited at least $100 a month for 12 consecutive months.

Now that my account has been open for 15 months and I've received the rebate, I have a tidy little nest egg. I have done no online trading, though and part of the problem has to do with time. I haven't gone to the TD Ameritrade website and armed myself with the knowledge that awaits me. In the beginning I viewed a couple of the tutorials, but as time marched on, it was easier just to watch my account grow in monthly increments of $100. So far, I've earned the grand total $2.87 just for storing my money in a TD Ameritrade account.

The online trading website has plenty of money management information available. There are tabs for almost everything at the top of the page, including Accounts, Trade, Research & Ideas, Training Tools, Planning & Retirement, Education and Client Services. Each of those tabs has tabs. For example, Planning & Retirement has information on investing, taxes, IRAs and portfolio guidance. What more could an investor ask for?

The TD Ameritrade website looks cluttered to me, although common sense tells me that if I spent more time on it, my opinion would change for the better. Where to find the time, though? Between working full-time, taking care of two adult children who are mentally disabled, keeping the house up and pursuing my freelance writing, I have not a moment to spare.

Of course, I know we all make time for the things we really want to do or perhaps the things with which we are familiar. I'm not someone who grew up hearing dinner table talk about stocks, bonds and the market and it was only during the last decade that I was able to dip my toe into the 401-K pool. I do have a penchant for saving, though, and Suze Orman's plan helped me to establish another savings account and just knowing TD Ameritrade will be there when I'm ready to move forward is reassuring.