You open an account with a brokerage and send them a check. As soon as they receive the check you can buy stock using their website or by calling. I'm using Datek (datek.com) and Muriel Siebert (siebertnet.com). If you feel uncomfortable using the brokerage web sites to buy the stock, you can just call them and say I want to buy $500 of stock XYZ. Commissions run $10 per buy or sell at Datek which is a good deal for what you get. Information on how to open the account is on their website, you can apply online and then send them the check. Full service brokerages give a lot of advice on what stocks to buy, like DLJ, Bears and Stern. A good compromise between full service and minimal service is Charles Schwab.