<prompt> Human: Ive been thinking about starting some investments within the next year and I wasnt really sure where to start or what I was looking for. Lo and behold I get a letter in the mail today from Charles schwab laying out several investment plans and Im not even sure what Im looking at. I was only planning on investing 1000 a year. Can anybody share with me their experiences with Charles schwablink me to a beginners guide to investments? Thanks!Edit: thanks for all the great information guys. I had no idea they even operated as a bank and considering how shitty my local bank is I will probably open an account with them soon  <response>: I use Schwab for a brokerage account as well as my IRAs. Their website is very easy to use and do research on. I also have a checking account with their bank which lets me have free checking and no ATM fees when I withdraw money from any ATM in the country. They dont have bank locations you can deposit checks at their office locations so all banking is on-line. 