Offer your thoughts or opinion on the input financial query or topic using your financial background.

Which U.S. online discount broker is the best value for money?
I've never used them myself, but Scottrade might be something for you to look at. They do $7 internet trades, but also offer $27 broker assisted trades (that's for stocks, in both cases). Plus, they have brick-and-morter storefronts all over the US for that extra "I gotta have a human touch". :-)  Also, they do have after hours trading, for the same commission as regular trading.